The latest episode of The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio delivered exactly what underground metal fans live for… a raw, unfiltered conversation with a true lifer. Tommy Stewart of Hallows Eve, Black Doomba Records, and Tommy Stewart’s Dyerwulf joined the show for a deep dive into his latest work, his process, and a lifetime in heavy music.
Right out of the gate, the conversation had that classic “figuring out the tech while talking shop” vibe… the kind of real-world chaos that makes live interviews feel alive. From Discord confusion to audio setups running through mixers and compressors, it was a reminder that even seasoned veterans are still navigating the ever-changing digital landscape. No polished corporate nonsense here… just two guys making it work and getting straight to the good stuff.
The Meaning Behind “My Politics Are My Own”
The centerpiece of the discussion was Dyerwulf’s new single, “My Politics Are My Own.” And here’s the kicker… despite the title, it’s not about politics in the way people assume.
Stewart made it clear: the song is about not engaging in the noise. In a world where everyone’s shouting opinions online, he’s choosing the opposite lane. Keep it private. Keep it personal. No flag-waving, no debates, no soapbox.
That message, ironically, stirred up mixed reactions. Some playlists rejected the track purely based on the word “politics” without digging deeper. That says more about the current climate than the song itself. Stewart leaned into it though. If anything, the reaction proved the point.
At its core, the track is about drawing a line. Not taking sides… just stepping out of the circus entirely.
A Raw Recording Process That Hits Hard
If you’re expecting overproduced, polished-to-death modern metal… this ain’t that.
The recording process for the track was as stripped down as it gets. Stewart laid down what was meant to be a scratch bass track… and ended up keeping it. One take. Full force. So aggressive it literally tore up his fingers mid-recording.
From there, drummer Joseph Dingle stepped in and nailed his parts in a single take as well. No endless rehearsals, no overthinking. Just musicians who know their craft showing up ready to deliver.
Even the vocals followed that same instinct-driven approach. Lyrics written on the fly, recorded with minimal passes. Stewart described it like pulling something already written out of the air… one of those rare moments where everything just clicks.
Bass-Driven Doom With a Twist
Dyerwulf continues to carve its own lane with a bass, drums, and vocals setup. No guitars. No filler. Just thick, heavy low-end and rhythm.
To shake things up, Stewart brought in Caleb Riser of Black Moon Cult to handle a lead bass section. That’s right… lead bass. And it works.
Instead of competing for space, the two bass styles complement each other. One holds down the foundation, the other adds texture and chaos on top. It’s unconventional, but that’s the whole point.
Old School Mentality Meets Modern Reality
One thing that stood out through the entire conversation… Stewart doesn’t chase trends. Never has.
He sees his entire career as one long songwriting journey, whether it’s Hallows Eve, Dyerwulf, or anything in between. The names change, the lineup changes, but the core stays the same.
That mindset carries into how he handles business too. Contracts aren’t about control… they’re just agreements. Plans. Clarity. Simple and old-school.
And while the industry keeps evolving with new platforms like Discord, Twitch, and beyond, Stewart approaches it with curiosity instead of resistance. He’s learning, adapting, but not losing himself in the process.
The Atlanta Scene and Those Classic Warehouse Days
The conversation took a nostalgic turn diving into the Atlanta scene. Back in the day, rehearsal spaces were packed with bands who would eventually become major names.
We’re talking about shared walls with bands like Mastodon, The Black Crowes, and Jackyl… all grinding it out in the same buildings, feeding off each other’s energy.
That kind of environment shaped the sound and the attitude. Loud, competitive, and full of personality. If your band was too loud for the room next door… that was a badge of honor.
Vinyl, Collecting, and Letting Go
Like any true lifer, Stewart has a deep connection to vinyl. Not just for listening, but for collecting.
But here’s the twist… he’s also lost massive collections more than once. Walked away from everything during a breakup. Lost another chunk to a flood. And his attitude?
It’s just stuff. You can always get more.
That perspective hits different in a world where people obsess over collecting. For Stewart, the music matters more than the object… even if he still appreciates a rare pressing when it shows up.
Festivals, Label Work, and What’s Next
Outside of recording, Stewart’s staying busy with Black Doomba Records, supporting multiple festivals, and working on upcoming releases… including new material from Megaton Communion.
Dyerwulf’s next full-length is in progress, with a target window somewhere down the line. No rush. The focus is on making it right, not just making it fast.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just another interview… it was a snapshot of what it means to stick with metal for the long haul.
No gimmicks. No trend-chasing. Just honesty, experience, and a willingness to keep evolving without losing your roots.
And if there’s one takeaway from the whole thing, it’s this… you don’t have to shout the loudest to be heard. Sometimes the strongest move is stepping back and letting the music speak for itself.
Crank it loud.
Full Track List:
Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:
1 - ANTIPOPE - Doors of the Dead
2 - Severed Sun - Complex
3 - Another Demon - Drawn and Quartered feat. James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary)
4 - Weak13 - Me to Be
5 - Mistress - Terrified eyes
6 - Ru_Bass - Time
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 - Iommi - Who's Fooling Who - Featuring Ozzy
8 - Rob Zombie - The Black Scorpion
9 - Immolation - Bend Towards The Dark
10 - Phantom - Summoned to Kill
11 - Hallows Eve - Metal Merchants
Tommy Stewart - Interview featuring My Politics Are My Own
12 - Black Moon Cult - At The Mountains of Madness
13 - Burnt Witch - Bastard
14 - IATT - Walk Amongst
15 - Nicarus - Vegan
16 - BRAINMAZE - Nightmare & Reality
17 - Sins of Shadows - Tell Me Why
18 - We All Rise - Crown
19 - MENTAL ANGUISH - The Repugnant Void
20 - Far From Refuge - Circuits II; Timelines
The Interview segment is also available on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and more!
Super huge shout out to the 206,251 metal maniacs from around the world that tuned in to the live broadcast Friday night!
Check out the music video!
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28897/hallows-eves-tommy-stewart-talks-new-music-old-school-roots-and-keeping-it-real-on-the-zach-moonshine-show?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
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