Course of Empire was a hard-edged, post-industrial, alternative music group based in Dallas, Texas from 1988 to 1998. In the early days, large drums would be placed throughout the audience as a means to eliminate the separation between performer and audience. Inspired by the Kodo Drummers of Japan, C.o.E. sought to use the theater of mass drumming to illustrate their vision of a future culture that would evolve as a response to the exponentially increasing human population on the planet. This practice was stopped, however, when the drums ceased to be played by ever-increasing crowds, becoming dangerous missiles instead. The band retained one defining feature however: two drummers playing simultaneously (Michael Jerome and Chad Lovell) creating a propulsive, driving beat that underlaid many of the group's songs.
Song topics were initially of a more political and environmental stance (the name "Course of Empire" having come from a 5-piece series by 19th Century painter Thomas Cole). Later, the lyrical content would take on topics related to conspiracy theories and the personal quest of spirituality.
Course of Empire is the debut self-titled album from the Dallas, Texas band. The album was originally released on Dallas based Carpe Diem Records and sold over 5000 copies in the city alone. All songs were written by Course of Empire and produced by David Castell (Blue October, Burden Brothers, Deep Blue Something, SouthFM). The following August, Zoo Entertainment signed the band and reissued their CD with distribution through BMG
Track listing
"Ptah" - 4:17
"Coming Of The Century" - 4:04
"God's Jig" - 4:02
"Copious" - 3:34
"Cradle Calls" - 4:32
"Under The Skies" - 4:10
"Peace Child" - 5:43
"Sins Of The Fathers" - 3:25
"Thrust" - 7:21
"Mountains Of The Spoken" - 3:42
"Dawn Of The Great Eastern Sun" - 6:37
Zoo Reissue
Zoo Entertainment remixed and remastered the album in January 1992, which resulted in significantly different track lengths.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Freaks · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 31 Dec 2014
Course of Empire - The Information Video
From the soundtrack for "Dark City"
published: 18 Jan 2008
Course of Empire - Houdini's Blind
Course of Empire
Track - Houdini's Blind
CD - Telepathic Last Words
published: 22 Nov 2007
Course Of Empire "Persian Song" Live
From the final show at Trees, July 18th 1998. As documented on the 2004 live album "Phone Calls From The Dead". Available at Amazon. Companion to 2014 release "Telepathic Last Show".
published: 30 Dec 2013
Under the Skies
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Under the Skies · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 04 Apr 2015
Course of Empire - Sacrifice
Sacrifice by Course of Empire
Zoo Entertainment 1994
published: 01 Apr 2014
Course of Empire on "Hi-Res Diner" w/Paul Quigg - host
July 5th, 1988. Taped at the Dallas Public Library's Time-Warner Public Access T.V. Studio, Dallas, TX. Part of the weekly Monday night "ArtStuff" arts program.
published: 03 Aug 2020
Thrust
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Thrust · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 04 Apr 2015
Course Of Empire - Gear
#3 - Gear - Course Of Empire - Initiation (1992)
Since 1998, Course of Empire's albums have gone out of print and the band members are no longer receiving compensation for these releases. Mike Graff and the webmaster of this site have decided to offer free downloads of all of the band's major releases
http://www.courseofempire.com/mp3
Zoo Entertainment ('92 re-release)
published: 03 Mar 2012
Radio Teheran
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Radio Teheran · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Freaks · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Freaks · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Freaks · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From the final show at Trees, July 18th 1998. As documented on the 2004 live album "Phone Calls From The Dead". Available at Amazon. Companion to 2014 release "...
From the final show at Trees, July 18th 1998. As documented on the 2004 live album "Phone Calls From The Dead". Available at Amazon. Companion to 2014 release "Telepathic Last Show".
From the final show at Trees, July 18th 1998. As documented on the 2004 live album "Phone Calls From The Dead". Available at Amazon. Companion to 2014 release "Telepathic Last Show".
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Under the Skies · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTu...
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Under the Skies · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Under the Skies · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
July 5th, 1988. Taped at the Dallas Public Library's Time-Warner Public Access T.V. Studio, Dallas, TX. Part of the weekly Monday night "ArtStuff" arts program....
July 5th, 1988. Taped at the Dallas Public Library's Time-Warner Public Access T.V. Studio, Dallas, TX. Part of the weekly Monday night "ArtStuff" arts program.
July 5th, 1988. Taped at the Dallas Public Library's Time-Warner Public Access T.V. Studio, Dallas, TX. Part of the weekly Monday night "ArtStuff" arts program.
#3 - Gear - Course Of Empire - Initiation (1992)
Since 1998, Course of Empire's albums have gone out of print and the band members are no longer receiving comp...
#3 - Gear - Course Of Empire - Initiation (1992)
Since 1998, Course of Empire's albums have gone out of print and the band members are no longer receiving compensation for these releases. Mike Graff and the webmaster of this site have decided to offer free downloads of all of the band's major releases
http://www.courseofempire.com/mp3
Zoo Entertainment ('92 re-release)
#3 - Gear - Course Of Empire - Initiation (1992)
Since 1998, Course of Empire's albums have gone out of print and the band members are no longer receiving compensation for these releases. Mike Graff and the webmaster of this site have decided to offer free downloads of all of the band's major releases
http://www.courseofempire.com/mp3
Zoo Entertainment ('92 re-release)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Radio Teheran · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-gener...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Radio Teheran · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Radio Teheran · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Freaks · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From the final show at Trees, July 18th 1998. As documented on the 2004 live album "Phone Calls From The Dead". Available at Amazon. Companion to 2014 release "Telepathic Last Show".
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Under the Skies · Course of Empire
Course of Empire
℗ 1990 Carpe Diem Records
Released on: 1990-01-01
Auto-generated by YouTube.
July 5th, 1988. Taped at the Dallas Public Library's Time-Warner Public Access T.V. Studio, Dallas, TX. Part of the weekly Monday night "ArtStuff" arts program.
#3 - Gear - Course Of Empire - Initiation (1992)
Since 1998, Course of Empire's albums have gone out of print and the band members are no longer receiving compensation for these releases. Mike Graff and the webmaster of this site have decided to offer free downloads of all of the band's major releases
http://www.courseofempire.com/mp3
Zoo Entertainment ('92 re-release)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Radio Teheran · Course Of Empire
Telepathic Last Words
℗ 1998 The Orchard
Released on: 1998-01-20
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Course of Empire was a hard-edged, post-industrial, alternative music group based in Dallas, Texas from 1988 to 1998. In the early days, large drums would be placed throughout the audience as a means to eliminate the separation between performer and audience. Inspired by the Kodo Drummers of Japan, C.o.E. sought to use the theater of mass drumming to illustrate their vision of a future culture that would evolve as a response to the exponentially increasing human population on the planet. This practice was stopped, however, when the drums ceased to be played by ever-increasing crowds, becoming dangerous missiles instead. The band retained one defining feature however: two drummers playing simultaneously (Michael Jerome and Chad Lovell) creating a propulsive, driving beat that underlaid many of the group's songs.
Song topics were initially of a more political and environmental stance (the name "Course of Empire" having come from a 5-piece series by 19th Century painter Thomas Cole). Later, the lyrical content would take on topics related to conspiracy theories and the personal quest of spirituality.
Freaks, talk to me Call me a lunatic Call me from everywhere Call me beyond the dead Call me a conduit Freaks (yeah) Freaks (yeah) Freaks, follow me (yeah) They're saying nothing is new and they're all bored Bored with watching and doing nothing Twisting their heads and seeing who's looking Always looking and being seen Freaks Freaks You're all freaks You're all freaks You're all freaks The sky is open wide within A razor thin divide As pure as mountains or your eyes The purest hide(s) behind your jugular vein Freaks! We're all freaks! Freaks! We're all freaks! Freaks Freaks