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.
I Remember
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the tale of our heroes who died by the gun
while the rest looked and smiled at the freedom they've won
but the weight of the chain slows the run
I remember a song about flags standing high
as the red blazing rockets turned dark a blue sky
I remember the reason the weak shared good-byes if they could
I remember a sight at the dreams that we had
and the injustice they've suffered had driven them mad
I remember when we had the right to be sad all the time
I remember the war of the great days of old
and the battle hymns they sung while they died in the cold
I remember the good men they bought and they sold for a dime
let's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
must we all play the losing game
let's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
guess we'll all play the losing game
The song "I Remember" by Psychotic Waltz talks about remembering the struggles and sacrifices made by the heroes and soldiers of the past. The first stanza mentions great battles won by our heroes who died by the gun, people smiling at the freedom they won but still weighed down by the chain. This depicts the struggle and sacrifices made by the soldiers and heroes for the greater good. The second stanza mentions a song about flags standing high, which could be symbolic of patriotism and the sacrifices made for it, the weak sharing good-byes, and the reason behind it. The third stanza talks about the dreams and injustices we suffer and how we had the right to be sad all the time, and the war of the great days of old and the battles fought, showing us the consequences of war and the things we lose in the process.
The last part of the song asks us to take a look at what we've changed, after all this time we're still so much the same, and asks us why we can't make up our minds. The line "guess we'll all play the losing game" highlights the loss we all face in the process of war, and the need for us to take a stance and bring a change.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to remember the sacrifices of the heroes and soldiers of the past, and to strive for a better future where the weight of the war and the loss it brings can be avoided.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember a story of great battles won
A tale of victories in war that are remembered
and the tale of our heroes who died by the gun
The account of brave warriors who perished in combat
while the rest looked and smiled at the freedom they've won
Others celebrated the liberty gained while ignoring the sacrifice
but the weight of the chain slows the run
Despite freedom, oppression continues and hinders progress
I remember a song about flags standing high
A tune that commemorates patriotism and national pride
as the red blazing rockets turned dark a blue sky
A reference to a past war and its destruction
I remember the reason the weak shared good-byes if they could
A memory of the justification for those who felt powerless and defeated to say farewell
I remember a sight at the dreams that we had
Looking back at aspirations that were never realized
and the injustice they've suffered had driven them mad
Despite their best efforts, they were thwarted by unfairness and lost their sanity
I remember when we had the right to be sad all the time
The freedom to feel sorrow and despair without being judged
I remember the war of the great days of old
Reminiscing about a legendary conflict of the past
and the battle hymns they sung while they died in the cold
Remembering the somber songs that were sung by those who lost their lives in battle
I remember the good men they bought and they sold for a dime
Recalling the tragedy of good people being treated as commodities and being bought and sold
let's take a look now what we've changed
Let's examine what progress we've made
after all we're still so much the same
Despite progress, we still have many of the same problems
can't we make up our minds
Can't we decide and commit to a course of action
must we all play the losing game
Are we destined to continue making the same mistakes, ensuring we all lose?
guess we'll all play the losing game
A sense of pessimism that we will likely keep making the same mistakes
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mariannakappa13
I remember a story of great battles won
and the tale of our heroes who died by the gun
while the rest looked and smiled at the freedom they've won
but the weight of the chain slows the run
I remember a song about flags standing high
as the red blazing rockets turned dark a blue sky
I remember the reason the weak shared good-byes if they could
I remember a sight at the dreams that we had
and the injustice they've suffered had driven them mad
I remember when we had the right to be sad all the time
I remember the war of the great days of old
and the battle hymns they sung while they died in the cold
I remember the good men they bought and they sold for a dime
let's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
must we all play the losing game
let's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
guess we'll all play the losing game
@heidivilder4161
I remember a story of great battles won
and the tales of our heroes who died by the gun
while the rest looked and smiles at the freedom they've won
but the weight of the chain slows the run
I remember a song about flags standing high
While the red blazing rockets turned dark a blue sky
I remember the reason the weak shared good-byes if they couldI didnt knowlet's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
must we'll all play the losing game
I remember the war of the great days of old
and the battle hymns they sung while they died in the cold
I remember the good men they bought and they sold for a dimeI remember a sight at the dreams that we had
ohh the injustice they've suffered had driven them mad
I remember when we had the right to be sad all the time
let's take a look now what we've changed
after all we're still so much the same
after all this time
can't we make up our minds
guess we all play the losing gameare we all the same....
@tobifunpp
after all this years it still gives me shivers 😍
@user-bf3tw8uh6j
Best album cover ever. The reason I bought it and haven't regretted it ever since...
@fares57
Πες τα
@johnrayer4512
i agree
@bobinabobo
such a fragile beauty ...
@metalmike1976
everything Buddy Lackey/Devon Graves has done is absolute pure ,perfect fucking gold!!! My all time favorite musician sans Mikael Akerfeldt. Genius masterminds of music and the world is a much better place because of it!! From the bottom of my heart,thank you!!
@azff
This whole album is fantastic.
@ozzy82nick
I think this album defines the term "unique". And i am a, mostly, black death thrasher! But this album is also extreme, in its special way, as, truely, progressive.
@azff
@@ozzy82nick
I saw these guy's play in Pacific Beach (San Diego) back in 1992. They were awesome!!! A friend of mine, who was friends with the band, introduced me to them.
\,,/ \,,/
@tronlady1
Criminally underrated band and especially this song.....haven't heard it for A LONG TIME but knew every millisecond!!!!! Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx