From the Austin Chronicle, February 7th, 1992

Record Reviews

Course of Empire

Course of Empire (Zoo/BMG)

Huge, swelling guitars, two drummers, a danceable beat here and there, industro-
metal tendencies throughout, digitally remastered for major label release - Course
of Empire rocks with tension and a not so vague humanistic spirit.  Vaughn
Stevenson's lyrics manage to straddle the thin line between poetic affectation and
meaningful social angst, and the music plays like shattered glass underfoot.  Peel
your eyes, these guys may very well make it out of the local ghetto.  (Course of 
Empire will play the Back Room on Friday, February 7.)

[four stars]

-Garry Kirks

[photo: the album cover]