Bad ReligionThe Empire Strikes First

Tight melodic hardcore charged with real political fury, written and recorded during the height of the Iraq War. Los Angeles Is Burning uses wildfire as metaphor over a soaring, anthemic chorus. Let Them Eat War folds spoken-word artist Sage Francis into the punk attack for a jolt of menace. Brett Gurewitz's return as co-writer gives the songs renewed bite. Angry, urgent, and built to shout along to.