In 1994 Bad Religion moved to Major Atlantic, as Brett Gurewitz and Jay Bentley were very much involved in time through their label work with Epitaph. A separation of band and record company should provide for relaxation, brought however first once "only" enormous financial success: The Atlantic debut "Stranger Than Fiction" (1994) is to this day the commercially most successful album of Bad Religion. Afterwards Gurewitz got out to devote himself to Epitaph. Brian Baker, one of the best guitarists of the punk rock and hardcore scene, came on board for him. In autumn 1995 Bad Religion recorded their ninth studio album "The Gray Race" in New York City; it was released by Atlantic in February 1996. The record was actually recorded together for the first time since the debut LP "How Could Hell Be Any Worse?" to create a feeling of unity after Gurewitz' departure. The main part of the songwriting was contributed by Greg Graffin. Producer was Ric Ocasek, who had also worked for Weezer and Bad Brains. Especially the first two singles "A Walk" and "Punk Rock Song" were quite successful and the corresponding videos were played on music television. The album itself reached number 56 in the USA and number 11 in Germany. The remastered new edition provided by Epitaph appears on black vinyl.
