Spooky season is finally upon us, which means I can now sit back and enjoy THE GHOULSTARS’ debut album, “The Dark Overlords of the Universe,” the way it was meant to be heard. Released via Season of Mist on May 15th, 2026, it’s a record so packed with horror nostalgia and graveyard vibes that spinning it during bright daylight simply felt a bit out of place. It somehow felt right to wait for the darker evenings to truly get into it.
The lineup is far from an assembly of newcomers: formed by guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso and drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen (both formerly of KUOLEMANLAAKSO), the quartet is completed by bassist Markus “Hellaghoul” Makkonen (SADISTIK FOREST, ex-HOODED MENACE) and vocalist Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure (THERMATE). Seeing musicians with such heavy death-doom backgrounds pivot to horror punk was unexpected, but the record never falls into the trap of sounding like a lazy parody. Backed by solid musicianship and influences rooted in MISFITS, VENOM, and WHITE ZOMBIE, the tracks trade bare-bones three-chord punk for heavy death’n’roll grooves, sharp guitar hooks, and Ghoulio’s tight, energetic drumming, while Hellaghoul’s gritty backing vocals provide the perfect abrasive counterweight to LL Ghoul A’s lead lines. Produced and recorded by Daddy Ghoul himself, with mix and mastering handled by V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, ROOTBRAIN), the sound stays punchy and biting, delivering the exact shot of good spirits needed as the kaamos creeps in.
The album wastes no time getting to the point. Opener “Too Ghoul for School” sets the tone with high-energy punk riffs, driven by LL Ghoul A’s melodic, raspy delivery and an instantly memorable chorus that sticks from the very first listen. The track also served as the debut music video, acting as a visual manifesto for the entire project: directed by Daddy Ghoul himself and shot inside his former school, it even features the late Alexi Laiho’s vintage Cadillac.
Beyond that opening punch, the tracklist plays out like an affectionate love letter to classic B-movies, creature features, and comic villains, leaving plenty of clever details for genre buffs to spot without ever relying on cheap gimmicks. What really keeps the record engaging is the variety across the songs. “The Dead in Purgatory” breaks the tempo early on with a dark western feel and an eerie whistled lead, followed by the fast, anthemic drive of “Zombie Apocalypse.” Leaning straight into classic Romero territory, the track turns the apocalypse into a high-energy anthem about flesh-eating hordes taking over the streets while the barricaded survivors fight for their lives. Right after, the title track, “The Dark Overlords of the Universe,” brings one of the most gloriously obnoxious and catchy choruses on the entire album, practically designed for crowd singalongs. Next in line, “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” shifts the pace with an infectious, stomping mid-tempo groove that lets the rhythm section breathe.
Not surprisingly, “Graverobbers from Outer Space” was picked for another music video. The track leans heavily into Ed Wood territory, nodding straight to the original working title of “Plan 9 from Outer Space” with lyrics that cheerfully pile up flying saucers, open graves, and alien invasions over a fast, crunchy rhythm and loud, infectious MISFITS-style gang choruses.
That playful B-movie energy carries over into “The Wolfman,” which leans unapologetically into classic SLAYER territory, driven by a tight, sinister thrash pace and unmistakable 80s riffs before settling into a melancholic groove. That makes the jump into “The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits” even more fun: at barely over two minutes, it is a quick horror-western ride packed with runaway horses and ghost outlaws.
Then comes “Vampire,” which holds a special place as the very first song Daddy Ghoul wrote for the project. Easily the rawest and heaviest cut on the record, its fast tempo, dirty riffs, and dark edge lean proudly into early VENOM and CELTIC FROST territory. Everything wraps up neatly with “They Dance Upon Our Graves,” ending on a high note with an album that balances campy humor and solid riffs with total ease.
It is hard to imagine a better companion for the encroaching darkness outside than this punchy collision of horror nostalgia and heavy riffs. Delivering irresistible anthems with tight, professional execution, THE GHOULSTARS have crafted a debut with all the right hooks to make an immediate mark well beyond the Finnish scene.
Written by Licia Mapelli
Tracklist
- Too Ghoul for School
- The Dead in Purgatory
- Zombie Apocalypse
- The Dark Overlords of the Universe
- The Brain that wouldn’t Die
- Graverobbers from Outer Space
- The Wolfman
- The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits
- Vampire
- They Dance Upon Our Graves
Lineup
Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure – Vocals
Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – Guitars
Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – Bass
Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – Drums
Label
Season of Mist
