I can almost hear Chandler Bing’s voice after listening to “A Social Grace”, full of awe and sarcasm:
“Could it BE any better?”
Oh dear, it seems it really could, since EVERYONE would agree that “Into the Everflow” is at the very least an UNBELIEVABLE SEQUEL to PSYCHOTIC WALTZ’s debut, if not an even better album overall – well, let’s just settle with the fact that having two prog metal monumental albums recorded one after another by the same newly emerged band in only two years period makes life better for all lovers of really GOOD music, anyway!
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ ‘s sophomore release, “Into the Everflow” is without any doubt a masterful continuation of the innovative path they forged with their first album, “A Social Grace”. Released in 1992, this album solidified the band’s reputation in the progressive metal scene by building upon the complex structures and rich textures that marked their earlier work. “Into the Everflow” is not merely a follow-up; not only did it meet the high expectations set by its predecessor but also expanded the band’s musical horizons, delivering an album that is both complex and deeply engaging.
The album opens with “Ashes”, a track that immediately sets the tone for the intricate and atmospheric journey ahead. The song’s delicate intro and haunting melodies showcase the band’s ability to blend ethereal soundscapes with heavy, intricate riffs. This balance between light and dark, between complexity and melody, is a recurring theme throughout the album.
“Out of Mind” that follows, exemplifies the band’s technical prowess and innovative songwriting. And the tracklist goes on with one masterpiece after another – it’s really crazy to listen songs like “Little People”, “Hanging On A String” and “Freakshow” just before the epic ending of “Butterfly”! The syncopated rhythms and dynamic tempo changes, performed marvelously by Ward Evans (bass) and Norm Leggio (drums and percussion), together with Dan Rock‘s and Brian McAlpin‘s brilliant twin guitar work create a rich tapestry of sound that keeps the listener captivated from start to finish. The fluid interplay between Devon Graves‘ (then known as Buddy Lackey) versatile vocals and the instrumental sections adds a layer of emotional depth that is rarely achieved.
Also, Graves‘ poetic lyrics lead us into a world of introspection and philosophical inquiry. The title track is a prime example, with its introspective lyrics and sprawling, almost hypnotic musical arrangement. The song ebbs and flows, mirroring the album’s exploration of the human psyche and the search for transcendence.
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ faced the daunting task of following up their critically acclaimed debut and they succeeded with flying colors. It’s more than a continuation of what they started; it is a bold step forward that cements the band’s place in the pantheon of progressive metal. The album’s blend of technical skill, emotional depth, and innovative songwriting makes it a timeless classic.
For those seeking a unique prog metal experience “Into the Everflow” is an ESSENTIAL LISTENING and for the ones who appreciate a valuable addition in their musical collection, this particular reissue is a MUST-HAVE!
Double-CD digipaks will come out with tons of rare or previously unreleased bonus material as well as expanded layouts, while only 1000 LPs will be released worldwide, in limited, gatefold, coloured editions on 180g vinyl. Recordings of the Aslan demo of 1987, the 8-track demo of 1988 and the 1991 demo, 14 songs in total, consist the tracklist of the bonus CD of the double digipack edition, remastered by Patrick W. Engel in his Temple Of Disharmony Studio. The sound is merely PERFECT; the work that has been done in remastering the original tracks is excellent while the improving of the older recordings is ideally balanced!
I feel that I don’t really have to write more about this re-release but rather copy the text of the promo written by the band, as is:
“We are not only excited, but also greatly humbled and honored that Inside Out Music have allowed us to bring forth what we feel are the definitive versions of our first four albums. They sound better than ever, thanks to the meticulous mastering done by Patrick W. Engel, and the 2CD editions each feature a treasure trove of extras, most of which you probably never heard before now – or if you did, those tape-traded versions didn’t sound nearly this good. And if you’re more of a vinyl person, having all our early demos compiled on a double-LP set is something we never would have expected when the five of us first started playing together as teenagers nearly 40 years ago under the name of Aslan. May you all have as much fun going through these reissues as we did putting them together.”
“Into the Everflow” will be re-issued by Inside Out on July 12th, on DCD and LP.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order both DCD and limited LP here.
