THE GHOULSTARS — The Dark Overlords of the Universe - OUT NOW via Season of Mist

Musically, The Dark Overlords of the Universe moves between surf beats, death-tinged riffing, fifties bass runs and Danzig-esque crooning, landing somewhere between The Misfits, White Zombie and Entombed with occasional Volbeat detours. The songs are direct and hook-driven, but the album has range: the galloping Morricone-inflected pulse of "The Dead in Purgatory" sits comfortably alongside the blunt punk force of "Graverobbers from Outer Space" and the riff-heavy title track, which opens onto a chorus built to be shouted back at a stage. Several tracks draw directly from classic horror and sci-fi cinema, with spoken word samples and lyrical homages woven throughout.

‍

Guest appearances come from Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns of Finntroll and ...and Oceans, who contributes backing growls, and Tommi "Tuple" Salmela of Tarot and Raskasta Joulua, who adds backing vocals on the title track.

‍

The Ghoulstars formed in Finland in 2021 and spent several years building a live following and generating press attention -- including coverage from CNN and Metal Hammer -- without releasing a single track. Guitarist and chief songwriter Markus "Daddy Ghoul" Laakso and drummer Toni "Ghoulio" Ronkainen previously played together in the Top Ten-charting Finnish death-doom band Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus "Hella Ghoul" Makkonen came from Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, and vocalist Arthur "LL Ghoul A" Thure fronts the stoner rock outfit Thermate. Since signing to Nem Agency, one of Finland's largest music promoters, the band have confirmed further live dates.

‍

The Dark Overlords of the Universe was produced by Markus Laakso. Guitars were recorded by Markus Laakso and Erkka Närhi; vocals by Markus Laakso and Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns; drums by Erkka Närhi; bass by Samu Männikkö and Markus Laakso; percussion by Markus Laakso. The album was mixed and mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio in Germany. Cover artwork is by Niko Anttila, with photography by Sam Jamsen, Marc Sabat and Toni Hiltunen, edited by Markus Laakso.

‍