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.
Another Prophet Song
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
have disappeared without a trace
could they have found the distant place
they have longed to go
opposite four corners lie
rise to kiss to meet the sky
in images the secrets hide
now Jupiter deceives the stars
to dance in masquerade with mars
while sabbath moon casts shadows far
to wake a final dawn
the heretics that gazed the sky
left us not a reason why
or did they try
painter of the stars
sailing the ghost ships of a poets mind
song silence dry bush in hand
spinning webs of images from the sun
the windless ships have trimmed their sails
to caravan beyond the the astral skies
why can't we just spread our wings and fly
oh how we try
the flames of sorrow blazing on
to light the sun of babylon
while bloody moon lies dying on her own sword
dying long
child of tomorrow cries
unsung hero lays and dies
await the final sacrifice
another prophet song
The lyrics of Psychotic Waltz's song Another Prophet Song are deeply mystifying and thought-provoking. The song seems to be exploring the idea of space travel and the mystery and wonder that lies beyond our planet. The first verse talks about a group of people seeking a "stellar race", who may have found the place they were looking for. However, they disappear without a trace, leaving us to wonder where they went and what they found.
The second verse takes us on a poetic journey, describing the corners of the earth rising up to touch the sky, and the secrets that are hidden in images. Jupiter appears to deceive the stars, while the "sabbath moon" casts shadows far, perhaps indicating the transition of time and the inevitability of change. The heretics who looked upon the sky offer no explanation for what they saw, or perhaps they did try to tell us, but we failed to understand.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for the unknown, a desire to explore and understand the mysteries of the universe. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a journey beyond our earthly bounds, full of wonder and intrigue, but with the final sacrifice and unsung heroes reminding us that such a journey is not without risk.
Line by Line Meaning
the seekers of a stellar race
Individuals searching for extraterrestrial life.
have disappeared without a trace
They vanished without leaving any clues to their whereabouts.
could they have found the distant place
Perhaps they have found another planet that has been their goal to discover.
they have longed to go
The searchers have had a strong desire to reach this unknown location.
opposite four corners lie
The locations of these seekers who have disappeared were in completely different areas or directions.
rise to kiss to meet the sky
The locations of these seekers were at a high altitude, close to the sky or the heavens.
in images the secrets hide
The secrets of these seekers are hidden within various elements or images.
how could they have known them
It is uncertain how these seekers would have discovered or understood these hidden images and secrets.
now Jupiter deceives the stars
Jupiter is in a position of power over the stars.
to dance in masquerade with mars
Jupiter's power is causing the stars to behave in a false or artificial way.
while sabbath moon casts shadows far
The moon is creating shadows that cover a great distance.
to wake a final dawn
These shadows symbolize the end of a dark era and the beginning a new, hopeful one.
the heretics that gazed the sky
The seekers who questioned traditional beliefs and looked to the skies
left us not a reason why
Their absence leaves behind many unanswered questions and puzzling mysteries.
or did they try
Perhaps these seekers attempted to find something but failed.
painter of the stars
An artist who uses the stars as inspiration for their work.
sailing the ghost ships of a poets mind
A writer that navigates through their imagination, creating poetic works.
song silence dry bush in hand
Someone who combines sound and stillness, and creates an entirely new entity.
spinning webs of images from the sun
A person who is weaving an intricate pattern from the rays of the sun.
the windless ships have trimmed their sails
Ships that no longer need to rely on the wind to move; they have adjusted their sails to accommodate their new method of travel.
to caravan beyond the astral skies
These new ships can travel beyond the known parts of space.
why can't we just spread our wings and fly
Humans have a desire for more freedom and mobility, but are hindered by their physical limitations.
oh how we try
Despite the setbacks, humans still strive for advancement and progress.
the flames of sorrow blazing on
An intense feeling of sadness that is never-ending and overwhelming.
to light the sun of babylon
The flames of sorrow are so intense they are lighting up an entire city, and causing destruction and chaos.
while bloody moon lies dying on her own sword
The moon, which once had the power to cause tides, is now powerless and is causing its own destruction.
dying long
The inevitable downfall that has been a long time coming.
child of tomorrow cries
A child, who represents the future, is in a state of distress and despair.
unsung hero lays and dies
A person, who has done great things but is not recognized, lays down to die.
await the final sacrifice
The sacrifice that will bring things to a close and mark the end of an era.
another prophet song
A song that is a proclamation or message from a visionary or prophet, who sees what is coming next.
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alex Man
1st time I heard "...and the devil cried" at the age of 17 I barely stand it for a few seconds... 6 months later I gave it a 2nd chance but still 1,5 min was all I could listen. I just couldn't get the music...! 2 years later I put the CD for the 3rd time... it didn't came out of the CD player for the next 2 months!!! Since then they are my favourite band. They changed the way I understand music and songwritting. I'm not copying them, they're unique. They just gave me a different point of view!
George
Almost same shit here !
marge1996
"one of the milestones of progressive metal..." that's the absolute definiton!!!
Heidi vilder
Fill up the moon with loudspeakers and let this song play out to fill the universe with beautyfullness
wemetee
I remember the first time I heard this song. It literally gave me shivers and certain parts made me tear up. Still has that effect.
DecayOfLogos
The true masters of Progressive Metal!
sheepfinger
these guys are from my hometown, I remember sneaking into bars to watch them play in like 87
AkisDoom
PURE PERFECTION!! This Is The Best Song From The Best Metal Album Ever!!
EverythingisFire
Powerful song, possibly my favorite from them!
Rascal Jukka
this is so awesome.i can't believe i haven't heard this band before.