Written By Caine Blackthorn
Extreme metal label Season of Mist has officially signed Finnish skeletal horror punks The Ghoulstars, a monstrously catchy new act blending metal, punk rock attitude, and B-movie chaos.
Featuring members drawn from notable underground acts including Kuolemanlaakso, Hooded Menace, and Thermate, The Ghoulstars fuse surf-rock swagger, headbanging riffs, and shout-along punk choruses into a sound inspired equally by cult cinema and classic horror aesthetics.
Despite building a growing reputation across Finland since forming in 2021, the band has yet to release a single track until now. Their upcoming debut album promises a love letter to ’80s genre culture, mixing oversized hooks, theatrical horror imagery, and genre-blurring experimentation.
“We can’t wait to unleash our delightful horrors upon the world with Season of Mist,” says guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso.
“The album celebrates B-movies, huge riffs, punk rock energy, surprising curveballs, and the joy of everything falling into place.”
The record was mixed by V. Santura (Triptykon), who praised the material as “unique, catchy and a really fun listen.”
To introduce their world, The Ghoulstars have released a teaser for “Too Ghoul for School,” a playful homage to ’80s coming-of-age campus comedies, now streaming via the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
Drawing inspiration from The Misfits, White Zombie, Murderdolls, and cult horror cinema, the band merges nostalgia with modern heaviness, delivering a theatrical blend of horror punk and metal primed for fans of both underground grit and cinematic excess.
Lineup
Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – guitars, backing vocals
Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – drums
Arthus “LL Ghoul A” Thure – vocals
Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – bass, backing vocals
The Ghoulstars Online: