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.
Ashes
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the frightened face of death revealed
The last ones left alive find they've nothing now
Not even the vaguest memories
Of what they've all been fighting for
What they've to receive
Find another way they say, it's over
Nothing can make not a man out of so much less
I'm short of impressed
Where would we-be standing now if never stood we here
Had we never been reborn we'd never disappear
Along with all the damages we've done through all these years
I wonder now
I wonder now
The opening line of Ashes by Psychotic Waltz serves as a metaphorical representation of the aftermath of a catastrophic event. The ashes, which used to veil the earth, are now lifted to the sky, revealing the face of death. The survivors now face the harsh reality that they have nothing left, not even memories of their fight. To them, the struggle was for naught, and they've received nothing in return. Perhaps, they must find a new way, having accepted that it is over.
The following lines create a sense of disappointment in the leaders who motivated people to fight. The eager taste for victory was not worth the sacrifice of so much life. The singer is "short of impressed" with the command that led the people to the tragic end. Looking back, the singer muses on where they would be standing if they had never started this fight, and if they were not reborn and brought to this point. They wonder where they might be if all the damage never occurred, leaving us with a sense of melancholy pondering.
Line by Line Meaning
Ashes like a veil of black have lifted to the sky
The remnants of destruction and chaos have dissipated into the sky.
With the frightened face of death revealed
The true magnitude and horror of death has been made clear to those who survived.
The last ones left alive find they've nothing now
The remaining survivors realize that they have lost everything in the battle.
Not even the vaguest memories
They cannot recall what they were fighting for or what it was all worth.
Of what they've all been fighting for
They are unable to comprehend or remember the reason for their battles.
What they've to receive
They have gained nothing from their struggles and sacrifices.
Find another way they say, it's over
The characters wish to find another way beyond the conflict as they realize the conflict has come to an end.
Nothing can make not a man out of so much less
The struggle was a test of character and willpower, and its outcome proved that no true man can emerge from such destruction.
His eager taste for victory
The hunger for power and success drove him to destroy all around him.
I'm short of impressed
The artist is not at all impressed by the senseless violence and destruction.
Where would we-be standing now if never stood we here
Reflecting on the consequences of their actions, the characters wonder where they would be if they had never started this battle.
Had we never been reborn we'd never disappear
If they had not undergone the changes that the conflict brought, they would not completely fade away from the world.
Along with all the damages we've done through all these years
The destruction caused over the years has come to an end.
I wonder now
The singer expresses contemplation on the events that took place and the aftermath of the conflict.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@borizh
grab some good headphones and listen to this album... everything about it is pure genius...
@Metalmarius1
It sure is
@Neueregel
I had a trip with this track during watching Psychotic Waltz Live in Athens in April 2012. This was just too much of a psychedelic experience. Words cannot really describe that day.
@MrMoon-59
This is THE BEST opening of an album I've ever heard, I think about it for ten years and I still think about it now.
@LeslieWolf71
amazing music! i'm forever in love with their art!
@borizh
on this song in particular... the harmonizing vocal line on the left channel is just genius. not your typical band by any means,. and that's why i love them
@borizh
it's like they all took a piece of their heart and put it in each of their songs. there will never be a band like pw again
@Amysupport
My God, I've been waiting so long for someone to finally upload this great song! Thank you so much Comus89!
@Niamorg1007
@postrock I know what you mean. Even though DT and PW are both progressive metal bands, they play very different styles of music. In my opinion, most of the songs in the DT discography are full of emotions and present some very special vibes, in addition to the technical aspect of their music. No need to compare these two wonderful bands though, let's just enjoy the beautiful music they've given us. :)
@zerothehero986
They are back! Tour with Nevermore and Symphony X next year!! Is this amazing?! I'm sooo happy!