The first incarnation of the band was under the name Aslan, after a character in the novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. With money earned from local shows and T-shirt sales, they recorded a self-titled demo tape in 1986. After discovering another band with the same name, they changed theirs to Psychotic Waltz and recorded a new four-song demo in 1988.
In 1990, they debuted with their independently financed debut A Social Grace, which was released in Europe via a licensing deal with the German label Rising Sun Productions. The album was very well received in Europe, being named album of the month in some European magazines,[citation needed] The situation in US was more difficult, as the album was released under the band's own Sub Sonic Records label. With practically no promotion and minimal distribution, it remained an extremely underground item. In 1991, the band appeared in the Dynamo Festival in Holland.
After the tour, the band's guitarist, Dan Rock, suffered a near-fatal accident after falling off a bridge while rappelling. The band went on to record their second album, Into the Everflow. The album was recorded from August–October, 1992, at Phoenix Studios in Herne, Germany, and was produced by Mekong Delta's main man, Ralph Hubert. After recording the album, but before its release, the band did a small tour while Dan Rock recovered from his accident. The CD was released in Europe on Dream Circle Records, and was very well received, getting album of the month honors in many European magazines.[citation needed] After Rock recovered, the band was nominated as the Best Hard Rock band at the 1992 San Diego Music Awards.
By that time, the band was at the peak of its popularity. They signed with Ralph Hubert's own label, Zardoz Music, for their third album, Mosquito. Recording took place in late 1994 in Record Plant and Madhatter studios in Los Angeles, with the help of the famous metal producer Scott Burns. The initial response for this album was mixed, as the more conventional songwriting that the band followed led some hardcore fans of the band to label it as a sell-out. This was the last album that was recorded with their initial lineup, as bassist Ward Evans left the band after two tours in Europe and was replaced with Phil Cuttino.
They entered the studio once again in 1996, for what proved to be their last studio work together, Bleeding. This time, Scott Burns did the engineering, but the record was mixed by Dan Rock and engineer Woody Barber. Before the band started touring in support for the new album, guitarist Brian McAlpine announced that he would not be able to follow the band due to familial obligations. He was replaced by Steve Cox for the band's final two European tours. Phil Cuttino filmed a promotional video for the track "Faded". This proved to be disastrous for the band, as a crew member sued the band in April 1998, claiming that a light on the set caused him to go blind.
The lengthy court battle that followed, coupled with the different musical interests that the band members had, contributed in the band's demise. Buddy Lackey was the first to leave the band. For a short while, the remaining band members tried to continue with the band, but eventually each went his own way. Rock recorded two instrumental albums with his project Darkstar. Norm Leggio and Steve Cox created the band Teabag, and Buddy Lackey formed the band Deadsoul Tribe, where he performs using his real name, Devon Graves.
Psychotic Waltz reunited in 2010, will tour Europe in support of Nevermore and Symphony X, and are planning to write, record and release a new album.
...A Psychotic Waltz
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if life's worth it's living at all
Sometimes I smile at the ones who think they've got life down
And they say that I'm living it wrong
As the days pass by
I watch as the net closes in
As they circle around in my head
Turning and winding
Never ending beginning the end
Look now sweet child
Deep into my room
The door is open and the air is warm
Close your eyes
Feel the sweet, sweet symphony of sighs
Sometimes it would feels so right
If the angels called me to the sky
Sometimes it feels good just to be alive
Though our paths are blind
I can see a lightened end on mind
Still now I search
For the spirit that torments my soul
As the priest shields his face from the wind
Looking at lost life and darkness
My eyes shall not see
Makes me laugh when he calls it all sin
You're all slaves of the priest
And you'll just sing it over
And over, and over, and over
And over, and over, and over
And over
The lyrics of "A Psychotic Waltz" by Psychotic Waltz delve into themes of self-reflection, questioning one's existence and purpose in life, and the challenges that come with personal growth. The opening stanza sets the tone with a sense of uncertainty and doubt, questioning whether life is truly worth living. The second stanza takes a more assertive tone, with the singer challenging those who claim to have life figured out, and acknowledging that their own path may at times seem unclear.
As the song progresses, the lyrics paint vivid imagery of internal struggle, with the singer feeling trapped and surrounded by their own thoughts. The imagery of a net closing in and circling around in their head conveys a sense of claustrophobia and the feeling of being trapped in one's own mind. However, the song also touches on moments of beauty and inspiration, with the line "Sometimes it feels good just to be alive" offering a sense of hope amidst the darkness.
Overall, the song captures a sense of the human experience - the struggle to find purpose and meaning in our lives, and the moments of beauty and light that can emerge even in the darkest times.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wonder what will ever become of me
At times, I ponder about my future and fate
And if life's worth it's living at all
Whether existence is meaningful or not
Sometimes I smile at the ones who think they've got life down
Occasionally, I find it amusing when people believe they have life figured out
And they say that I'm living it wrong
And proceed to point out that I'm not doing it right
As the days pass by
With the passage of time
I watch as the net closes in
I observe the trap tightening around me
As they circle around in my head
As my thoughts revolve in my mind
Turning and winding
Twisting and spiraling
In circles, in circles they spin
In repetitive and circular motion
Never ending beginning the end
An unending start to the finish
Look now sweet child
Behold, young one
Deep into my room
Into the depths of my sanctuary
The door is open and the air is warm
The gateway is ajar, and the atmosphere is welcoming
Close your eyes
Seal your eyelids shut
Feel the sweet, sweet symphony of sighs
Experience the comforting harmony of exhalations
Sometimes it would feels so right
On occasion, it seems like the ideal thing to do
If the angels called me to the sky
If celestial beings summoned me to the heavens
Sometimes it feels good just to be alive
At times, mere survival is satisfying
Though our paths are blind
Even though our directions are uncertain
I can see a lightened end on mind
I perceive a bright conclusion in my thoughts
Still now I search
Nevertheless, I quest
For the spirit that torments my soul
For the entity that afflicts my essence
As the priest shields his face from the wind
While the cleric shelters his face from the breeze
Looking at lost life and darkness
Observing lives gone astray and obscurity
My eyes shall not see
My vision shall not witness
Makes me laugh when he calls it all sin
It amuses me that he dubs everything as immoral
You're all slaves of the priest
You're all subservient to the clergyman
And you'll just sing it over
And you'll endlessly repeat it
And over, and over, and over
Again and again and again
And over, and over, and over
And over and over and over again
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.