Founded in 2003, TORTOISE WALTZ features KHANG, DOOM and LAZURUS BLACKSTAR man Bri Talbot, ENCHANTED and DARK EMBRACE guitarist Tony Wildwood, VAE SOLIS and GORE man Jay on bass with the BLOODSTREAM, BLACK MARIAH and the POSSESSIONS Vinny Philpotts on the drums. Wildwood would also be active with Martin Walkyier's Pagan collective THE CLAN DESTINED.

With Philpott's departure in early 2005 the band announced it was to split in May. Tony Wildwood, as 'Divra Xul', soon teamed up with the NECROPHAGIA, IMMORTAL and THE CLAN DESTINED bass player Iscariah in his new act DEAD TO THIS WORLD.