Gritty imagery and tongue-in-cheek horror frame NARCOTIC WASTELAND’s new music video for ‘Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse’. The latest single addresses addiction and the impact of fentanyl, with guitarist and vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade emphasizing that the video’s dark humor serves an awareness message.
‘This song is about the growing fentanyl epidemic, now deemed by the media the “Zombie Drug.” We wanted to give the video a gritty look while keeping it somewhat light-hearted. The important thing is the message. To spread awareness and educate people about this horrible drug that is ruining people’s lives and killing them very quickly,’ Toler-Wade says.
The announcement describes the song as combining aggressive musicianship with commentary on addiction and societal decay. In his earlier statement about the single, Toler-Wade described how its musical character connects with that subject: ‘The song is, of course, about the fentanyl epidemic and the overall impact it has on an already failing country. Musically, it really captures the mood of this very well. Fast and tricky, yet twisted and catchy!’
He also singled out his bandmates’ contributions: ‘Kenji really brought some great bass and keys to the table. And Austin needs a drum set that won’t collapse under pressure! I am super proud of the work we have done together, and I cannot wait to show the world what we have been working on behind the scenes.’
NARCOTIC WASTELAND’s lineup comprises Toler-Wade, formerly a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter in NILE, bassist Kenji Tsunami and drummer Austin Vicars. The new single continues the band’s engagement with addiction, corruption and societal collapse through extreme metal.
Other supplied coverage places that lyrical approach in a broader context. Decibel Magazine described ‘Victims of the Algorithm’ as addressing dependence on social media, while its coverage of ‘Sex, Lies & DNA’ highlighted true-crime themes and guest vocals from Andrea_N_Black. ‘Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse’ brings the focus back to addiction, this time with a visual treatment that Toler-Wade explicitly connects to education and awareness.
The single is also available through the announcement’s listening link for ‘Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse’.
The video accompanies an announcement of European dates supporting I AM MORBID alongside ATHEIST and CANCER, followed by additional NARCOTIC WASTELAND appearances. The announcement lists the following shows:
- Nov. 21 — Drachten, Netherlands — Iduna
- Nov. 22 — Dordrecht, Netherlands — Bibelot
- Nov. 23 — Kortrijk, Belgium — DVG
- Nov. 24 — Berlin, Germany — Music Brewery
- Nov. 25 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Pumpehuset
- Nov. 28 — Kosice, Slovakia — Colosseum
- Nov. 29 — Ostrava, Czech Republic — Barrak
- Dec. 1 — Zurich, Switzerland — Dynamo
- Dec. 2 — Belvaux, Luxembourg — MK Bar
- Dec. 3 — Paris, France — Sanit Mils
- Dec. 8 — Bridgwater, Somerset, UK
NARCOTIC WASTELAND will also join FILTH and KILLCROWN for eight announced US dates in December. The announcement credits the US tour artwork to Stiky Graffix INC.
- Dec. 11 — Portage, IN — Shenanigans Live
- Dec. 12 — Battle Creek, MI — Dark Christmas
- Dec. 14 — Milwaukee, WI — X-Ray Arcade
- Dec. 15 — Louisville, KY — Mag Bar
- Dec. 16 — Greenville, SC — Radio Room
- Dec. 18 — Dayton, OH — Gem
- Dec. 19 — Akron, OH — Afterlife
- Dec. 20 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground
