Caine Blackthorn
Flying saucers. Open graves. Cheap special effects held together by string. The Ghoulstars know exactly what they’re doing and they’re leaning into it.
The Finnish horror punk collective have released their second single, “Graverobbers from Outer Space,” a track that pulls directly from Ed Wood’s infamous 1957 cult film Plan 9 from Outer Space, while twisting it into something louder, heavier, and far less innocent.
The song is the latest preview from their debut album, The Dark Overlords of the Universe, arriving May 15, 2026 via Season of Mist.
Guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso describes the track as a straight-up tribute, built from a lifelong obsession with horror cinema:
“Horror movies are practically in my blood flow, especially quirky classics like Plan 9 from Outer Space. This song was written as a straightforward pile-driving tribute, though I can’t think of many punk rock songs that have a doomy C-part and güiro.”
That strange mix is exactly the point.
“Graverobbers from Outer Space” sits somewhere between metal, punk, and B-movie absurdity, catchy enough to stick, but warped just enough to feel off in the best way.
The music video, directed, filmed, and edited by Toni Hiltunen, doubles down on that aesthetic. Shot in grainy black and white, it recreates the charm of low-budget horror while packing in visual nods for anyone paying attention, Beetlejuice-inspired outfits, Vampira references, and the kind of deliberately obvious effects that feel more homage than parody.
A Debut Built On Obsession And Nostalgia
Despite the masks and theatrics, The Ghoulstars are anything but a novelty act. The band pulls from a network of experienced players across Finland’s heavier underground, including members connected to Hooded Menace, Thermate, and Kuolemanlaakso.
What ties them together isn’t just genre, it’s a shared fixation on the music and movies that shaped them.
“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to everything that blew our minds as kids,” Laakso explains. “Huge riffs, big choruses, curveballs, and Easter eggs from horror, sci-fi, and coming-of-age films.”
That influence runs deep. The album title itself references the mutants from the 1986 cult film Howard the Duck, while tracks across its 34-minute runtime pull from classic horror imagery – zombies, werewolves, and forgotten B-movie nightmares, alongside original stories.
One standout, “The Dead in Purgatory,” shifts into darker territory, blending Western atmosphere with emotional weight:
“No spoilers, but… it deals with feeling hopeless and abandoned by someone close to you who needs but refuses your help.”
Built By Fans, Backed By Experience
The lineup behind The Ghoulstars reflects years of experience across multiple corners of the scene:
- Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – Guitars
- Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – Drums
- Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure – Vocals
- Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – Bass
Guest musicians include:
- Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (…and Oceans, Finntroll) – Backing growls
- Tommi “Tuple” Salmela (Tarot, Raskasta Joulua, Lazy Bones) – Backing vocals on the title track
Production was handled by Laakso, with recording split across multiple contributors, and final mixing/mastering completed by V. Santura (Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio in Germany.
Santura summed it up simply: “The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen.”
Release Details
The Dark Overlords of the Universe arrives May 15, 2026 via Season of Mist.
Pre-orders and pre-saves are available now.
Video Credits – “Graverobbers From Outer Space”
Directed, filmed, and edited by Toni Hiltunen An Anti-Teatteri Production Written by Toni Hiltunen & Markus Laakso Set design by Sami Kokkonen
Lighting and UFO effects by Toni Hiltunen
Starring:
Emilia Matilainen, Sami Kokkonen, Kalle-Pekka Salmela & The Ghoulstars
Available formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12″ Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12″ Colored Vinyl Gatefold (Yellow, red and white marbled)
Tracklist
1. Too Ghoul for School
2. The Dead in Purgatory
3. Zombie Apocalypse
4. The Dark Overlords of the Universe
5. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die
6. Graverobbers from Outer Space
7. The Wolfman
8. The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits
9. Vampire
10. They Dance Upon Our Graves
