THE GHOULSTARS – THE DARK OVERLORDS OF THE UNIVERSE

The record’s core lies in complete control. Death-doom weighted riffs land unsurprisingly given the members’ lineage, yet the songs rarely indulge in any excess. “Too Ghoul for School” sets the standard for the record, with glam metal swagger stripped to its essentials, built around chantable phrasing and rhythmic economy. The writing underneath understands repetition, when deployed correctly, becoming a major identity.“Graverobbers from Outer Space” introduces a doomy pivot and textural oddities without collapse, demonstrating a compositional awareness often absent in genre hybrids.

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There is visible discipline in the pacing. Tracks move quickly, but never carelessly. “The Dead in Purgatory” expands on the palette with a Western inflection, echoing Ennio Morricone, while “The Wolfman” compresses with speed and aggression without sacrificing clarity. Even the title track, arguably the album’s most overtly theatrical moment, maintains structural integrity through transitions into its central hook.

Production by V. Santura, avoids the lo-fi trap typical of horror punk. The mix is clean but not in any form sterile, guitars retain their bite, drums carry huge physical weight, and vocals sit forward enough to sell the theatricality without overwhelming instrumentation.

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Lyrically, the record’s references to cult cinema, sci-fi absurdity, and teenage archetypes land as raw material. The band understands the appeal of these symbols but refuses to lean on them as shortcuts. Instead, they are embedded into songs that stand on their own strength.

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In my eyes, this one’s a calculated debut. Succeeding because of its limits. Ten tracks with no filler, and no outrageous indulgence, while still executing its premise with technical competence and clear intent.

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SCORE 9/10

Words by LearnTwoExist

In collaboration with Headbangers Australia

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