Narcotic Wasteland interview (Dallas Toler-Wade)

Interview by Davide Sciaky

Hello Dallas, welcome to TrueMetal.it. Can you introduce Narcotic Wasteland to those who might not yet know the band?

It all started around 2011. I was writing songs that were kind of different from what we were doing in Nile. It was more like the music I was writing Before my time in Nile. It was a little more thrash and unintentionally more difficult to play.

Looking at your work before Narcotic Wasteland, what do you think your fans can find familiar in this band, and what is new for you?

It is a continuation of my musical journey. I like to write stuff that is meaningful and not with current trends. It comes from the soul.

You’re out on the road these days for a pretty massive European tour: a bit more than 30 days playing almost every single day. Do you find it hard to keep this pace after more than 30 years playing music, or does the lifestyle keep you young, so to say?

I love it! I am very thankful to have the health to pull it off. I am stronger than ever and performing better than ever.

For some time after the COVID pandemic, I kept hearing bands saying that touring was harder than in the past because of many reasons, including financial ones. Has the situation calmed down now, or is it still difficult to go on tour (especially for an American band touring in Europe)?

It is kind of like a bad twilight zone episode. But I try not to let it get to me. Stay focused. Play the guitar. At this point it’s really not about the money. For me it never was. We have to sacrifice our selves. Once everyone stops doing it it will be over. And I refuse to let that happen. People are always so thankful that we come to their city and play. Like i said we must fight to keep this kind of music alive for generations to come.

I couldn’t help but notice that Narcotic Wasteland released two studio albums, in 2014 and 2017, and then a number of singles in the past 3 years. What happened between 2017 and 2022, and why have you been releasing only singles recently?

Many things. We have had an album ready for a long time. But between Covid and line up changes I have just been kind of rolling with the punches. And also lots of opportunities came about to tour the band. And I thought it was more important at the time to promote what we already have.

Are you working on a new album? Will the recent singles be included in the next studio album, or will it be composed of all new, unreleased music?

Yes it will finally be out next year.

As we said, you’re on the road through Europe. How has the reaction from the crowd been so far? Is it any different compared to the past? Do you feel the band’s fanbase has grown?

Yes yes and yes! The fans have been amazing and I am happy to bring us across the world.

How do you envision the evolution of Death Metal going forward? Is there still room for progress and innovation in the genre, or do you think the future of Death Metal doesn’t necessarily rely on that?

Who knows what will happen. I think some big things will happen!

In 2016 you left Nile to prioritize Narcotic Wasteland. The split seems friendly from the outside, so I’d like to ask you what is your relationship like with the guys in Nile, and if you think a collaboration with them (whether live or in the studio) could happen in the future.

I love those guys like brothers. That was not really the reason I left though. But I already had this thing going when I decided to leave. So why not just concentrate on this.