can't judge a book by its cover!

I think its a very good title, it may be not as good as "Stranger Than Fiction" (my personal fav) But still it reflects the problems that are now in the world,
I just know it will be a good album,
and even it turns out to be like "The New America" you'll still have some good songs for sure.
(remember "Dont Sell Me Short")
Dont doubt BR:)

When i first heard the title i thought this doesnt sound like a BR album title,but im not gonna jump to any conclusions,im hoping for a great album...gotta wait till june tho

No title can be better than "Recipe for Hate" and "Stranger than Fiction" :P

daniel: You are probably making a good point, the title isn't entirely important. However, the whole function of this is to comment on news, and I did - I gave my opinion. I just don't like the name, and Katie explained the reason perfectly. It really isn't a good Bad Religion title, it's too pun-like, too NOFX like. Sure, I like NOFX, but "The Empire Strikes First" doesn't have the same ring to it, the same quality as "The Process of Belief", "The Gray Race", "Against The Grain" or "Stranger Than Fiction" did. I'm still looking forward to the album, because I'm damn sure the quality of the music will be top-notch.
By the way, I do understand what the title means, and it what it's trying to say. I didn't reference it to Star Wars, I just don't like the title. Is there anything really wrong with that?
Thank you for your particularly unintelligent dig at my nationality. Oasis are uninspired crap, and I'm against the monarchy. (I'm not saying I'm particularly intelligent here).

no i didn't

yes, he is taking the piss.

....did you even bother to read it pilatus?
You win the internet!

Hey Lord, is that a song from the new album? And why should we belive you?

HOT HOT EXCLUSIVE SONG FROM THE ALBUM!
Old Republic was fine, the galaxy's now mine
And the New Order's here
Rebels fight and freedom's tight
But you know I keep thinkin' about
Takin' my power back
Well, I'm Palpatine born and raised
And these days I'm lost despite my power
This throne's room's mine but it ain't home
The galaxy's home but it ain't mine no more
"I am" I said
"The Emperor"
And no one heard at all...
Not even the throne
"I am" I lied
"I am Jedi"
But I have lost and I can't even say why...
Empire's crumblin' still...
Did you ever hear about a farmboy who dreamed of being a Knight,
And then became one?
Well except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me the story's the same one.
But I've got a malevolence deep inside
And I've tried...but it won't let me go
And I'm a man who likes control
But I never cared for the sound of leavin' my throne

The title??? This is whats bothering people? Suffer is one of the greatest albums of all time and that doesnt have a very inspired title. Same with No Control, or Against the Grain for that matter. All great albums, all mediocre titles. I think its cool that they have a very politically blunt record title for a change.

kaite, that makes total sense...its exactly how i feel. i'm sure the album will be amazing and i am intrigued by the antiwar themes that the title suggests...but it really does seem more like a nofx title, thats all.

I think what people are "complaining" about is that it's so very...direct. We're not necessarily used to that, and that's been part of the beauty of BR. Their songs leave us guessing, because they allow room for interpretation. It IS a clever title, and it's not like it'll decide how good or bad the music will be, but I think most people were expecting something more...original; more Bad Religion-esque, if that makes any sense.

All of you simpletons complaining about the title "The Empire Strikes First" need to open the newspaper. Get a life and complain about something that really matters. Have any of us ever been let down by the BR boys before. If we judged you complainers by your names (such as TootieHalo and therightclique) you wouldn't even be allowed on this forum. But lets face the fact that "The Empire Strikes First" is a brilliant title in light of what has been going on for the better part of a year. Go back to the UK and listen to OASIS TootieHalo, and say hi to Prince Charles for me.

I think we seriously need to look at the title as a title and not as a Star Wars spoof. Think about the recent events that have happened between the United States and Iraq. Iraq did nothing towards us, and the United States, being the empire, acted on false information for oil, political status, and 2004 election reasons.
Empire - A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority(George W. Bush).
The Empiric United States acted first in the war on Iraq, hence the name of the album. As annoying as it may be, all it needs is some thought to make perfect sence.

Don't care if title is good or bad, the issue is:are the songs good or not!!! Go BR!

Not happy... really not happy. Hmm. Surely it's not just a name to build the hype and it won't be the actual name? Please?!
I hope it's good, I'm sure it will be good, but I don't know if will be as good as The Process of Belief (Why couldn't they come up with a name like that again?!)

Is it just me, or do any other people think that this album may be a disappointment, BR have a lot to live up to after process of belief.

It's official, I got this from www.badreligion.com :
"New Album Title Announced!
The new Bad Religion album has a name -- The Empire Strikes First! Right now the record is tentatively scheduled to drop on June 8th, but we'll let you know as soon as its 100% confirmed. "

It's obvious that BR does not share (again) the views of the president or his republican idiot cohorts. This just bolsters my support of BR even furthere, if that's possible. And I hope there's some decent cover art on this album, I need a new BR tatt!!!

Sounds like the "War on Errorism"-Part 2?! No! Just kidding! It seems to go into a very clear political direction! Would say that the title is somehow not really BR-like! But nevertheless I can?t wait to hear it!!!

A good title, me thinks.

Like bossae, I too noticed the "The Empire Strikes First" in Error's EP album description. Even though it's by far one of the worst titles Bad Religion has ever picked for an album, I can't wait to listen to it.

i'm verrrrry happy they will pass in france... an,d i hope they're next album will be like their old.. not like the new americana...

Here comes George Lucas with the lawsuit!
heh.

i think it is prob a song that gurewitz wrote or had an idea for since he is in error and they do take their titles for records from song lyrics or titles, so im sure it all makes sense and is going to be one hell of an amazing cd, i cant wait to get my hands on it...

The offical epitaph newsletter should be a pretty reliable source

Is the source reliable? I mean, this title is no "Generator" or "Process of Belief".

I want it.Right now! durr

Interesting. I wanna hear it. Now

um.. this title seems kind of juvenile, but we'll see.

interesting, reminded me of the ERROR section on Epitaph:"In a time where the Empire strikes first and Clay Aitken can sell 700,000 in a week our discontent will not go unnoticed. Error turns these frustrations into sound.
"

I think it's really cool, and i think the title gives us a hint of what the songs are be dealing about! :)

At the moment, im not too sure wheter i like that title or not.
i would really have to see the cover image that goes with it before i pass judgement.