Narcotic Wasteland on Savatage: Why I Love

By Special Guest on 2nd December 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Narcotic Wasteland – a band inspired by addiction and fueled by metal. The ferocious technical death metal band from South Carolina, was founded by ex-Nile guitarist and vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade. Their sound draws heavily on 1990s death metal, incorporating blistering riffs, blast beats, and intense, emotionally raw vocals while lyrically, they tackle addiction, societal decay, and personal torment.

Their debut self-titled album was released in 2014, with Dallas departing from Nile in 2016 to make Narcotic Wasteland his full-time focus. The 2017 follow-up Delirium Tremens deepened their sound, blending technical riffing with melodic and atmospheric elements, continuing to push metal’s boundaries.

Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 – and Dallas Toler-Wade loves them. Here’s why…

BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING

Okay let’s start at the beginning I guess!!! I am Dallas and this is why I love Savatage!!!

I have been into music my whole life. I came from a musical family. I have been dancing around and singing and listening to stuff for 51 years. Well maybe 50 since most of my first year was spent learning to walk! I started drums when I was 8 years old. I practiced and played my drums all the time!! By the time I was in 4th grade I was starting to get into more complex music and played the song Tom Sawyer from the band Rush at my 4th grade talent show. I was intent on being a drummer. So for 5 years I played along with all kinds of stuff any rock and metal stuff I
came across.

GUITARS AND METAL

But then I started getting into metal more and also guitar. Many bands come to mind of course when I started figuring out the workings of the instrument. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Metal Church to name a few. One of the fun things early on learning guitar for me was the other guitar players in the area I grew up with always coming over to show what they had figured out how to play. We would kind of help each other out. I would figure out one thing and show it to a buddy or one of them would show me something. Fun times!!!

And one of the bands from back then really sticks out to this day for me is the band Savatage!!!

KICK ASS TITANS

I remember a friend of mine and guitar player in the making coming over and playing the main riff to a song called Warriors. It was from their album Power Of The Night. We listened to that band a lot back then and was figuring out the guitar work the best we could. They have a lot of great albums, great songs. A real kick ass heavy metal/ hard rock titan this band!!!!!

I recently in the last 4 years or so have been listening to Savatage again. They are in my top 10 favorite bands ever!!! It was the whole experience! From just hanging out listening to this band to figuring out the guitar parts or learning the drums and lyrics!!!! It was such a fun and exciting time to be alive. And that youthful energy is still in those Savatage records. Looking forward to the new album they are promising.

Our thanks to Dallas for his insights and passion!

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