Progressive Hippie Metal
The Making of Psychotic Waltz’s A Social Grace

It took some time before folks started to label those technically proficient bands popping up during the 1980s as “progressive metal,” but once that umbrella term became widely accepted, it was easier to see the signs that they were leaving. One of the most unusual and perpetually fascinating of those outcasts were San Diego’s Psychotic Waltz. They might not have had the guitar-wielding mad scientist like Watchtower’s Ron Jarzombek, the cinematic concept album like Queensrÿche or the radio-friendly hit like Dream Theater, but they compensated for all of that with a truly unique and inimitable style.

With each of their members bringing in a specific set of inspirations—from Van Halen and Jethro Tull to Mercyful Fate and Dio—and all united under the mighty influential banners of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, the quintet perfected a dark and heavy, surreally psychedelic, complex yet memorable approach. Their 1990 debut, A Social Grace, featuring future classics such as “Halo of Thorns,” became not only the blueprint for their entire adventurous career—which would last for three more albums and six years, until their triumphant return with The God-Shaped Void decades later—but essentially a landmark for prog metal. A Social Grace’s mix of metal heaviness and forward-thinking unpredictability—not to mention the impact of Devon Graves’ instantly recognizable, agile voice—foreshadowed what bands like Tool would come to mean to heavy music.

Psychotic Waltz’s inauspicious start (which included a name change from Aslan) allowed for A Social Grace’s protracted, meticulous assembly. The band put together the record song by song, pulling tunes from their early years, as well as new compositions without the aid of a traditional recording session, landmark studio or famed producer.

Fortunately, the recording lineup of singer Devon Graves, guitarists Dan Rock and Brian McAlpin, bassist Ward Evans and drummer Norm Leggio all remain members today. And so, we politely ask for one more dance with Psychotic Waltz, and open the gates for A Social Grace.

Need more classic Psychotic Waltz? To read the entire six-page story, featuring interviews with the members who performed on A Social Grace, purchase the print issue from our store, or digitally via our app for iPhone/iPad or Android.

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