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 (Rising Sun Productions). 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 (Bullet Proof Records), 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.