Bad Religion Albums Ranked

Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1980. The band’s lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media, and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilities and extensive use of three-part vocal harmonies. The band has experienced multiple line-up changes, with singer Greg Graffin being the band’s only constant member, though fellow founding members Jay Bentley and Brett Gurewitz have since rejoined, and guitarist Brian Baker has been a member of the group since 1994. The most recent additions to the band are guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller, who joined in 2013 and 2015 respectively. To date, Bad Religion has released seventeen studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs. They are considered to be one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time, having sold over five million albums worldwide. Here are all of Bad Religion albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on the iconic Bad Religion music below! Click to experience the power of Punk Rock!

10. How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (1982)

“This is an absolutely amazing hardcore album released in the era of Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys, and Minor Threat, among many others. It’s incredibly high energy, raw, and cut-throat. The lyrics are in-your-face, often sarcastic, and sometimes tragic. The band clearly had talent from the beginning and were able to show it off with flying colors. While this may not be a choice selection for someone seeking the kind of vocals, harmonies, guitar work, hooks, and varied influences found in later releases, it’s still a must for any fan of the band or the genre.”

9. The Empire Strikes First (2004)

“”Empire Strikes First” is a typical Bad Religion album. They’ve stayed true to their form. Many would say “It sounds like every other record.” But these would be the same people who would complain that they “sold out” if they changed their sound at all. Bad Religion and their fans know what they are about, and that’s that. No surprise ballads, no drum machines, no rapping or emo crybaby songs. The songs on this record stand strong on their own and they challenge any other punk band out there nowadays. Bad Religion is one of the few bands that have stuck to their story and their sound…no matter how cliche punk rock has gotten with some of the newer bands.”

8. The Process Of Belief (2002)

“The most-hyped point about this album, of course, is the fact that guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz is back in the band after the band’s somewhat-failed stint on major label Atlantic Records and subsequent return to Brett’s own label Epitaph. What does this mean? It means that vocalist Greg Graffin and Gurewitz wrote together for the first time significantly since 1994. This is the punk rock equivalent of John Lennon and Paul McCartney getting the band back together.”

See more: Elvis Costello Albums Ranked

7. Recipe For Hate (1993)

“This album is the culmination of what that song represented and so much more. The music recorded for this record epitomizes everything I enjoy about Bad Religion. American Jesus, Recipe For Hate, Watch It Die, Portrait Of Authority, Lookin’ In and song after song are catchy as heck and dead on studies of human behavior that always hit the nail on the dead WITH music and message.”

6. The Gray Race (1996)

“The amazing thing about ‘The Gray Race’ is that its masterful tactics seems to come effortlessly. The music doesn’t sound touched up, nor does it seem forced, rushed or studio generated in any which way. Bad Religion is the type of band whose ideas seem to come so rapidly and with such ease that you’re left wondering why they aren’t more popular than they already are.”

5. Generator (1992)

“This album marked a kind of transition for the band, and falls in between. Although they have always been great lyricists, on this album they tone down the freneticism of their music so that the lyrics can take center stage. And they couldn’t have done it at a better time, given that the most poetic lyrics they have ever written appear on this album. Even with this, the music doesn’t suffer but takes on a new quality that I actually prefer to their older stuff.”

See more: Kool & The Gang Albums Ranked

4. Suffer (1988)

“The music is invigorating, but it is a shame everybody in this culture was conditioned to see that they were born smart or stupid instead of learning the truth that the brain functions because of an evolutionary history, environmental history, and the current situation, the brain behaves according to the contingencies of reinforcement.”

3. Against The Grain (1990)

“Against The Grain, the third album from this era, and final to feature the amazing Pete Finestone on drums, is certainly the most musically caustic and lyrically scathing. The guitar work became more intricate, the bass work more impressive, and the vocal performances became huge explosions of compositional tapestries.”

2. No Control (1989)

“All of the songs on No Control are hard, fast (except “Sanity”), catchy, melodic, and intelligent. The sociopolitical lyrics are absolutely divine and Greg takes full advantage of his obviously massive vocabulary. If you like fast, catchy, melodic rock, or if you’re just getting into punk, definitely pick up No Control. Bad Religion are definitely one of the best punk rock bands of all time and are definitely worth your hard-earned dollars.”

1. Stranger Than Fiction (1994)

“This is one of the most consistently excellent Bad Religion albums, absolutely full of the fast, melodic and anthemic hooks that have set them apart from the rest over the years. From the opening `Incomplete’ to the last song, the classic `21st Century Digital Boy’, this album maintains an exceptional standard. You probably know to expect perfect, soaring harmonies, gloriously precise and distinguished lead vocals, and tight playing from Bad Religion, and that’s what you get, from the first song to the last.”