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.
And the Devil Cried
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
as the dark dealer smiles to the play
dear player of my little game
I don't believe I caught your name
that's alright now lay your hand down
queens slay your nines
the fortune you've lost now is mine
quick to the deal, let us step to the wheel
your number loses, not to blame
you see my friend,they're all the same
you can not win now, play again now
taste of earthly pleasures
see the harlots smiling
feel the evil passion
clawing, crying, crying on
...and the devil cried
well could you pay the price
if we rolled of the dice
just a piece of your soul down again
the rules are simple as they seem
just roll a one or roll thirteen
and all is back now, free and clear now
your soul and your mind
the fortune you've lost now is mine
The lyrics to Psychotic Waltz's song "And the Devil Cried" describes a scenario where the listener is being tempted by the devil to engage in a game with high stakes. The game is a metaphor for a life or death decision, where the devil tempts the listener to give up part of their soul in order to win temporary earthly pleasures. The devil presents the game as a simple one, where the listener needs to either roll a one or thirteen to win back what they've lost and be free from the game. However, it is clear that the devil is the ultimate winner in this game, as he gains possession of the fortune the listener has lost along the way.
The lyrics echo the classic theme of temptation and greed, where the devil uses his wiles to get people to sell their souls for temporary pleasures. The lyrics are also a commentary on the illusion of easy gains, and how ultimately, there's no such thing as a free ride without consequences. As the devil cries, it is clear that he is relishing his victory, having gained the listener's fortune and soul, and leaving them with nothing.
Overall, "And the Devil Cried" is a powerful song that speaks to the timeless human struggle with temptation and the consequences of chasing after temporary pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
be seated now, lay your small ante down
Take a seat and place a small bet.
as the dark dealer smiles to the play
The dealer is happy to see the game begin.
dear player of my little game
The dealer addresses the player.
I don't believe I caught your name
The dealer didn't get the player's name.
that's alright now lay your hand down
It's okay, the player can start playing.
queens slay your nines
The queen is a more powerful card than the nine.
the fortune you've lost now is mine
The money that the player lost now belongs to the dealer.
quick to the deal, let us step to the wheel
The dealer wants to speed up the game.
take a spin and lay down your claim
The player needs to take a turn and place a bet.
your number loses, not to blame
If the player loses, it's not the dealer's fault.
you see my friend,they're all the same
The dealer is saying all players are the same.
you can not win now, play again now
The dealer is challenging the player to play again.
taste of earthly pleasures
The player should enjoy the game.
see the harlots smiling
The player should enjoy the company of women.
feel the evil passion
The player should enjoy the demoniac passions of the game.
clawing, crying, crying on
The dealer is trying to instill fear in the player.
...and the devil cried
Satan rejoices in the game.
well could you pay the price
The dealer asks if the player can afford to play.
if we rolled of the dice
The player needs to roll the dice to play.
just a piece of your soul down again
If the player loses, they'll have to gamble their soul.
the rules are simple as they seem
The rules are straightforward.
just roll a one or roll thirteen
The player must roll a one or a thirteen.
and all is back now, free and clear now
If the player wins, they get everything back and will be free from any future obligations.
your soul and your mind
The dealer is wagering the player's soul and well-being.
the fortune you've lost now is mine
The dealer has won the money the player lost.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.