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.
Nothing
Psychotic Waltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the naive animal was a wiser thing
and these devils that we accept as reality
did not exist here before
nor do I think they were meant to be
they have enshrouded themselves
with the comforts of wealth
which they cling to
all because the hand
was much easier to see than the spirit
and upon the educated discovery of this
they have made their decision
not only for themselves
but for everyone else as well
everything you've ever come to experience
to anyone else here has never been
and will never be
life does not exist
memory is nothing more than photographs
a looking glass to see just where you've been
not what you've been there for
realize your insignificance to the universe
and to infinity
you will have then cast away
the pride of all these things you held so dear
agony and pleasure are a suffering to one another here
the wisest is the fool who realizes he knows
nothing, nothing
turn your back on this misconception
that the body is the temple
it's just the tool of the soul
the brain is only the house of the mind
and soon you'll have to give back
everything you've borrowed for this lifetime
only then you'll find
you have spent all this time
struggling for the wrong things
and all of your works here have been nothing
everything is nothing
The lyrics of Psychotic Waltz's song "Nothing" reflect a deep sense of disillusionment with the materialistic values of contemporary society. The opening lines allude to a time when the "naive animal" was "wiser," implying that humanity has lost touch with its true nature and succumbed to the temptations of wealth and power. The "devils" that the singer refers to are a metaphor for these corrupting influences, which have taken hold of our culture and distorted our perception of reality.
The second stanza speaks to the transience of human experience, suggesting that our memories are mere snapshots of the past and do not define us. The singer urges listeners to embrace their insignificance in the grand scheme of things, to recognize that their struggles and achievements are ultimately meaningless. The song paints a bleak picture of a world where everything is lost in the void of nothingness.
The final stanza calls on listeners to reject the notion that the body and brain are the most important aspects of our existence. Instead, we must focus on the soul and the mind, which are the true sources of our identity and consciousness. The message of the song is clear: we must resist the pull of temptation and find meaning in the intangible aspects of life, such as love, beauty, and spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
not so long ago there was a time
It wasn't too long ago when things were different.
the naive animal was a wiser thing
Humans used to be less complex, but had more wisdom.
and these devils that we accept as reality
The negative aspects of society that are considered normal were not always present.
did not exist here before
These negative aspects are new and were not always present.
nor do I think they were meant to be
The negative aspects of society are not necessary.
they have enshrouded themselves
Those who perpetuate the negative aspects of society have surrounded themselves with material possessions.
with the comforts of wealth
These material possessions are bought with wealth and add to their comfort.
inside this temple of material things
The possessions have become a temple of sorts, where the more important things are given up for the sake of materialism.
which they cling to
People cling to these material possessions even if they don't truly bring happiness or fulfill their lives.
all because the hand
The material objects are what people choose to focus on and value the most.
was much easier to see than the spirit
Spiritual enlightenment or meaning is not tangible, so people prefer to cling to material possessions that they can see and touch.
and upon the educated discovery of this
When someone realizes this, they become more educated about the nature of happiness.
they have made their decision
People decide to value material possessions over spiritual enlightenment and experiences.
not only for themselves
This decision affects everyone, not just the individual.
but for everyone else as well
The perpetuation of materialism limits the experiences and opportunities of everyone else around them.
everything you've ever come to experience
All the experiences you've had are unique to you and won't be duplicated by anyone else.
to anyone else here has never been
Others will never have the same experiences you've had, and vice versa.
and will never be
No one can replicate your experiences exactly.
life does not exist
Life has no inherent meaning outside of what we ascribe to it.
memory is nothing more than photographs
Memories are like snapshots of our past experiences.
a looking glass to see just where you've been
Memories can be used to remember where we've been and what we've done.
not what you've been there for
Memories don't necessarily capture the full experience, only a snapshot of it.
realize your insignificance to the universe
On a cosmic scale, our individual lives are insignificant and small.
and to infinity
This insignificance extends even further than we can imagine.
you will have then cast away
Once you realize your insignificance, you can let go of your pride and realize the unimportance of material possessions.
the pride of all these things you held so dear
You can let go of pride and attachments to material possessions.
agony and pleasure are a suffering to one another here
Agony and pleasure intermingle and can cause suffering and confusion.
the wisest is the fool who realizes he knows
Truly wise people are aware of their own ignorance and limitations.
nothing, nothing
No one can truly know everything, and wisdom comes from recognizing that fact.
turn your back on this misconception
Reject the misconception that material possessions are the key to happiness and purpose.
that the body is the temple
The body is not the most important part of a person and should not be treated as such.
it's just the tool of the soul
The body is a mere tool for the soul to experience the world.
the brain is only the house of the mind
The brain is not the full extent of a person's spirit or being.
and soon you'll have to give back
You can't take material possessions or even your own life with you when you die.
everything you've borrowed for this lifetime
Anything you were given or accumulated in this life will eventually have to be returned or let go of.
only then you'll find
Only after letting go of material possessions can you truly understand the nature of life and the universe.
you have spent all this time
People spend their lives accumulating and clining to material possessions without realizing their true insignificance.
struggling for the wrong things
People often spend their lives valuing the wrong things, such as materialism.
and all of your works here have been nothing
Material possessions and accomplishments do not give true meaning or lasting value to a person's life.
everything is nothing
Ultimately, everything in life is fleeting and insignificant on a cosmic scale.
Contributed by John P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.