Biography

Lauded California-based progressive metallers Psychotic Waltz are back! Not only that but they return—after officially reforming in 2010—with all five members from the group’s first three albums, A Social Grace (1990), Into the Everflow (1992), and Mosquito (1994). Appearing on new album The God-Shaped Void and stepping in as if they never left are: Dan Rock (guitars/keyboards), Brian McAlpin (guitars/keyboards), Ward Evans (bass), Norm Leggio (drums), and Devon Graves (vocals/flute/keyboard). Psychotic Waltz got their start in El Cajon (a suburb of San Diego) in 1986. Previously known as Aslan, the band that would become America’s foremost progressive metal outfit—alongside Fates Warning and Watchtower, of course—quietly transitioned into Psychotic Waltz for debut album, A Social Grace. In their home country, the quintet experienced nominal success, but abroad, especially in Europe, the group’s brand of aggressive yet musically clever metal hit home. Over the next six years and three albums, Psychotic Waltz established a formidable and fervent fanbase. The band’s exit from the scene in 1997, not long after the release of Bleeding, was a sad moment for all involved, but now, 23 years later, the high school friends have found each other again under majesty and mystery of Psychotic Waltz. Written over the course of many long years by the group, The God-Shaped Void is the product of careful and studied perfectionism. In short, it’s pure Psychotic Waltz.