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.
Faded
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
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fell from the sky below
faded, faded
from the sky you know
crashing through the window
fly on the wind of my soul
hover, hummingbird
beautiful
magic, electric
raining through the sky
raining emotion
how they bleed from my eye
crashing though the darkness
engraving my name on the world
hover, hummingbird
skies unimagined
skies unimagined
beautiful
blind confusion in the air
but there's something there
there's something there
faded, faded
fell from the sky below
faded, faded
from the sky you know
crashing through the mirror
fly on the wind of my soul
hover, hummingbird
UFO beautiful
blinding light, winding sound
spinning grace defies the ground
beautiful
UFO, UFO beautiful
The lyrics of Psychotic Waltz's "Faded" are mysterious and contradictive, as they describe a surreal and otherworldly experience. The repeated refrain of "faded, faded" creates a feeling of detachment and disorientation, as if the singer is no longer certain of reality. The first verse speaks of something falling from the sky, and then disappearing ("faded") and reappearing again, creating the notiion of a UFO or an alien in the sky. The hummingbird is seen as hovering, but also as UFO beautiful with magic raining through the sky. The feeling of being lost in the unknown is conveyed through the lyric "hover, hummingbird, skies unimagined." The second verse continues this theme, first referring to "magic, electric" raining through the sky, and bleeding from the eye. The imagery of crashing through darkness and engraving the singer's name on the world creates a sense of empowerment, while still immersed in this surreal environment. The final verse brings closure to the song by repeating the first verse and confirming the presence of an alien or UFO. The final lines describe the transcendence of earthly boundaries and gravity, as the spinning grace defying the ground lifts the singer in a moment of otherworldly beauty.
Overall, the lyrics of "Faded" paint a picture of confusion and wonder, as the singer experiences the presence of an otherworldly force. The imagery is dream-like and surreal, creating an ethereal and mystical atmosphere. The contrast between the eerie and enchanting feeling in the verses and the triumphant and uplifting chorus creates a delicate balance, and the lyrics end up being both haunting and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
faded, faded
The sense of fading being emphasized and repeated, highlighting the feeling of something diminishing or disappearing.
fell from the sky below
Describing a descent from above, creating an otherworldly and mystic atmosphere.
from the sky you know
A reference to the sky being an unknown, unexplored entity, which adds to the song’s emphasis on mystery and wonder.
crashing through the window
Creating a sense of impact and suddenness, as if something unexpected is happening.
fly on the wind of my soul
An introspective and metaphysical phrase, suggesting an inner journey or a feeling of freedom and exploration.
hover, hummingbird
An image of something light and delicate, contrasting with the previous line’s weighty energy.
UFO beautiful
An allusion to the otherworldly and alien, creating a sense of awe and majesty.
magic, electric
A combination of the mystical and the technological, a sense of something beyond human understanding.
raining through the sky
Creating an image of something falling or descending, suggesting a feeling of wonder and amazement.
raining emotion
An unclear phrase, perhaps suggesting a feeling of overwhelming intensity, like a storm of emotion.
how they bleed from my eye
A vivid and visceral image, creating a sense of deep feeling and emotional pain.
engraving my name on the world
A powerful and ambitious image, suggesting a desire to leave a lasting impact on the world.
skies unimagined
A continuation of the song’s theme of the unknown and the mysterious, suggesting vastness and possibility.
blind confusion in the air
An image of chaos and uncertainty, with no clear direction or purpose.
but there's something there
A hint of optimism, suggesting that even in the midst of confusion, there is hope or purpose.
crashing through the mirror
A continuation of the earlier image of crashing through a window, suggesting unexpected and transformative change.
blinding light, winding sound
A sensory overload, creating an impression of intense energy and motion.
spinning grace defies the ground
An image of something ethereal and transcendent, defying the laws of gravity or of the physical world.
UFO, UFO beautiful
A repetition of an earlier line, emphasizing the song’s focus on the magical and otherworldly.
Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.