"The Politially Charged Songs Have an Added Weight-Another Lesson Worth Paying Attention To.", 3 stars out of 5 - "Bad Religion know how to thrill and THE EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST is a thrill from first to last.", "Graffin attacks American jingoism and 'nation building' with a passion and verve absent in his voice for too long.", "Potent and Timely....The Pedigree of the Songs on the Empire Strikes First Is Outstanding."