Course of Empire

The Dallas, TX, band Course of Empire -- guitarist Mike Graff, vocalist Vaughn Stevenson, drummers Chad Lovell and Michael Jerome, and bassist Paul Semrad -- offers heavy metal with a thoughtful, politically aware message. The group recorded a pair of albums for the Zoo Entertainment label (their self-titled debut and the sophomore Initiation), but was left without a label when Zoo went under. COE was able to spread their message-filled music by opening for the likes of Prong and Sister Machine Gun. The group wisely decided to build their own studio with the money put aside fo...