Evil teachers, a pet werewolf, cutting class for joyrides in the Cadillac that once belonged to late, great Children of Bodom vocalist and guitarist Alexi âWildchildâ Laiho. Meet The Ghoulstars, a fresh – and frightening – blast from the past. Since rising from beyond the pop-culture graveyard in 2021, this skeletal group of horror punks have captivated press and tantalized crowds in their native haunt of Finland without releasing a single bloody track. Until now!
Today, The Ghoulstars are delighted to announce their blockbuster debut album. The Dark Overlords of the Universe conjures a monstrously catchy mash-up of headbanging heavy metal, fist-pumping punk rock and cult classics. Lead single âToo Ghoul for Schoolâ is jam-packed with more antics and attitude than Saturday afternoon detention.
âThe Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to everything that blew our minds as kidsâ, The Ghoulstars mastermind Markus âDaddy Ghoulâ Laakso says. âThe album is loaded with huge riffs, big choruses, surprising curve balls and Easter eggs from old horror, sci-fi and coming-of-age movies. Holding it all together is our sheer joy in watching all the pieces fall into the right place.
Watch the fun and freaky retro video for âToo Ghoul For Schoolâ on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
The Dark Overlords of the Universe comes out May 15, 2026 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/theghoulstarsdarkoverlords
Available formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12″ Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12″ Colored Vinyl Gatefold (Yellow, red and white marbled)
Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. The band features an all-star cast of current and former members of death-doom royalty and Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, stoner rockers Thermate and Finlandâs Top Ten charting Kuolemanlaakso.
What bands these ghouls together on âToo Ghoul for Schoolâ is their straight A acumen for all things â80s. Like a crossover TV episode, the song mashes together horror and punk into a Super 8mm high school romp. From the high-risers at the back of the classroom, drummer Toni âGhoulioâ Ronkainen pounds his desk with surf beats. Axeman Laakso impresses the ghoulies with his collection of spooky tremolos and righteous riffs. Markus âHellaghoulâ Makkonen causes a scene with rough and rowdy bass lines, freeing rebel yeller Arthur âLL Ghoul Aâ to slip out back. âDonât give me sass, Iâve got the gasâ, Thure howls as the band punch into a chorus that will have nerds, jocks and principals all raising horns.
âFast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Buellerâs Day Off are some of my favorite moviesâ, Laakso grins. âI love the cliched characters: the nerds, the jocks, the cool kids and rebels. They remind me of my junior high school daysâ.
While spun off from his real-life schooling, âToo Ghoul for Schoolâ recalls the records and VHS tapes that The Ghoulstars hoarded as young skeletons. Mötley Crüeâs pomp, the canât-do attitude of Twisted Sister and nods to â80s coming-of-age comedies all haunt its hallowed grounds. Though whipping around in Alexi Laihoâs Cadillac was beyond the bandâs wildest dreams.
âThereâs a collector nearby whoâs come to possess Alexiâs Cadillac. He let The Ghoulstars borrow it for some after school fun. It was a blastâ, Laakso remembers. âWe canât wait to unleash The Dark Overlords of the Universe upon the world. As my long-time collaborator and the albumâs producer V. Santura told me: âThe record is unique, catchy and a really fun listenââ.
The video for âToo Ghoul for Schoolâ was directed, filmed and edited by Sam Jamsen.
Additional video credits
Written by Sam Jamsen & Markus Laakso
Production assistants: Roope Paaskoski & Kalle Ovaskainen Principal: Timo Kokko
Teacher: Ninnu Huikko
Hypewolf: Mikko Matilainen
Extras: Hilda Hyvönen, Simo Tolvanen, Iida Korhonen, Wicktoria Polock, Nestori Hirvonen, Teemu Savonlahti, Teemu Holopainen, Veerti Saastamoinen, Kalle Ovaskainen, Anni Valokorpi, Pauliina Heikkinen, Kira Kylävainio, Tinja Korhonen, Katariina Laukkanen, Mila Fichtchenko.
The Ghoulstars would like to give a special thanks to Ingmanedu and Kuopion klassillinen lukio for the opportunity to film the video on their premises.
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