Horror Punk band The Ghoulstars were founded in Finland in 2021, and have now announced their debut album, The Dark Overlords of the Universe, arriving May 15th, 2026, via Season of Mist. Along with the album, they have released a video for “Too Ghoul for School.”

Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laasko says:

The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves. It’s crammed with headbanging metal riffs, shout-along punk rock choruses, B-movie easter eggs, ‘80s aesthetics, surprising curveballs and the sheer joy of all the pieces falling into the right places. Move over, Rover, and let the ghouls take over!

The Ghoulstars collect experienced musicians into a supergroup. That includes axeman Laakso and drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen who were in the Finnish Death-Doom band Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen formerly played for Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace while Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure also sings for Stoner Rock band Thermate.

The Dark Overlords of the Universe is named after the many-teethed mutants from the 1986 cult classic Howard the Duck.

Laasko explains:

I grew up during a time when movies in Finland were censored, so my hobby was collecting uncensored VHS tapes of horror and sci-fi movies any way I could.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are some of my favorite movies. I love the cliched characters: the nerds, the jocks, the cool kids and the rebels. They remind me of my junior high school days.

To bring their album to life, The Ghoulstars also summoned V. Santura of Triptykon for the mixing and mastering of The Dark Overlords of the Universe.