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CARNATION Unleash Savage New Single/Video ‘Flesh-Eating Frenzy’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CARNATION. Leave a comment
Photo by Jenny Puentes

Death metal force CARNATION continue their relentless return to pure, unfiltered extremity with the release of their new single “Flesh-Eating Frenzy”, taken from the upcoming album “Symphony In Flesh”, due out October 16th, 2026.

Following the release of “Kingdom Of Dreams”, the band now raise the intensity even further; delivering a violent burst of unfiltered death metal that channels CARNATION’s rawest and most aggressive instincts into one crushing assault.

CARNATION comments: “If you’re looking for a pure example of old-school Death Metal energy, this track delivers exactly that. It’s the shortest song on Symphony In Flesh, but also one of the fastest and most relentless, packed with shredding guitars, intense D-beats, and vocals driven by sheer anger and hatred.“

The band further shares insights into the song’s lyrical concept and accompanying video: “The main character gains insight into others’ thoughts and experiences by consuming parts of their bodies. The song takes this concept into darker territory, reimagining it through the lens of a serial killer obsessed with experiencing life through others.“

Tracklist:
01. Blackmouth
02. Flesh-Eating Frenzy
03. Symphony in Flesh
04. Kingdom of Dreams
05. Labyrinth of Silence
06. Towards Death
07. Twisted Visions
08. Boundless Pathways
09. Legacy of the Forefathers

With “Symphony In Flesh”, CARNATION consciously reconnect with what made them stand out in the first place: tight songwriting, memorable riffs, and uncompromising intensity. At the same time, they elevate every aspect of their craft. The songwriting is more deliberate, the arrangements more dynamic, and the overall flow more cohesive than ever before.

The album doesn’t just revisit their roots, it sharpens them. It combines the raw energy of their early material with the experience and production strength they’ve built over time, resulting in a record that feels both immediate and fully realized.

“Going into this album, we wanted to reconnect with our roots. Not just musically, but in the way we present the band,” CARNATION states. “At the same time, we pushed ourselves to write tighter, stronger songs and to bring everything – sound and visuals – to a higher level. This is the most complete version of CARNATION so far.”

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Yarne Heylen at Project Zero Studio / Y-Productions, with album artwork by Peter Sallai, “Symphony In Flesh” will be out on October 16, self-released by the band, and is now available for pre-order HERE

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/carnationbandofficial 
https://www.facebook.com/CarnationBE/  

Prog Rock Powerhouse LALU Announce New Album “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, Out July 31st

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Lalu. Leave a comment

French progressive rock powerhouse Lalu are excited to announce that their upcoming new album, “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, will be out on July 31, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The first single and accompanying visualizer video, “Prince With The Swift Warning”, are available now, giving a taste of the sound of the upcoming record.

Vivien Lalu described the single by saying: “The first single, “Prince With The Swift Warning”, is inspired by “Watership Down”, one of Martin LeMar’s favorite animated films. The track reflects its themes of exile and survival, unfolding as a journey toward a safer place, carried by strong melodies and a driving progressive feel”.

Pre-Order “A Mythmaker’s Demise” HERE

Lalu returns with “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, a milestone release celebrating the 20th anniversary of Vivien Lalu’s progressive rock project. What began in 2005 with “Oniric Metal” now comes full circle – this is not just a new album, but a bold tribute to legacy, craftsmanship, and artistic brotherhood. 

To mark the occasion, Lalu reunites with vocalist Martin LeMar (Nachtgeschrei, Mekong Delta), whose voice first defined the project. LeMar contributes powerful performances and lyricism that bridge past and present. Also making a triumphant return is drumming legend Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Protocol), the very first drummer to record the earliest Lalu track, “Paint the Sky”.

Continuing the collaborative spirit ignited in 2023’s “The Fish Who Wanted To Be King”, Vivien Lalu teams up once again with longtime partner Joop Wolters on guitars and bass. The duo crafted the songs from the ground up, focusing on organic, dynamic arrangements with no overproduction – just raw, honest performances. 

“We wanted this record to feel alive. No drum samples, next to no EQ, just real performances captured in their natural state”, explained Vivien Lalu.

Guitarist Joop Wolters added: “There has always been undeniable musical synergy between Viv and myself. This album came together very naturally, and locking in with the real, unedited live drums by Simon Phillips in the final stages was the icing on the cake. It truly feels like a real band, just like back in the good old days”.

The album was mixed to preserve a live, open sound, capturing the human energy of each take. A key guest appearance comes from keyboard virtuoso Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Yngwie
Malmsteen), who delivers explosive solos across three tracks. His presence carries particular
significance, having been one of Vivien’s earliest influences and a contributor to both “Atomic Ark” and “Paint The Sky”.

The evocative title “A Mythmaker’s Demise” reflects on the fading light of human imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. The striking artwork by Mattias Norén portrays a writer dying at his desk, while his creations struggle to escape into a world that no longer values them – a visual metaphor for the album’s deeper message. 

“A Mythmaker’s Demise” isn’t just an album – it’s a time capsule of progressive rock’s soul, 20 years in the making.

“A Mythmaker’s Demise” Tracklist:

1.    Tears Of The Muse
2.    EKO
3.    I Am The One
4.    Mayacama (Instrumental)
5.    Prince With The Swift Warning
6.    Learning To Fly
7.    A Drop Of Water (Instrumental)
8.    Fhloston Paradise
9.    Cordal Weaves
10.    Midnight Ink

Line Up:
Vivien Lalu – Keyboards
Joop Wolters – Guitars, bass 
Martin LeMar – Vocals 
Simon Phillips – Drums 

Follow LALU:
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OH HIROSHIMA Release Final Single ‘Exit Cloud’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: OH HIROSHIMA. Leave a comment

Swedish post-rock duo Oh Hiroshima have unveiled their powerful new single, ‘Exit Cloud’, the final preview of their forthcoming album And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter, set for release on 5th June via Pelagic Records. Suspended between crushing weight and fragile beauty, ‘Exit Cloud’ unfolds as a slow-burning meditation on loss, longing and impermanence; its towering waves of distortion pierced by moments of aching stillness and spectral calm.

Stream ‘Exit Cloud’ here and pre-order And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter: https://orcd.co/ohhiroshima-atdtgns

Speaking on the track, the band share: “The ending of this song is probably the most massive we’ve ever sounded. I like how the track keeps growing and shifting all the way through, with the church organ and saxophone moving in and out of the song.”

Oh Hiroshima have built a reputation for transforming introspection into vast, cinematic sound. The Swedish band has spent the better part of the last decade refining a musical language that balances fragility with overwhelming emotional force. Their music exists in the space where atmosphere, melody and gradual intensity converge, where hushed textures evolve patiently into towering waves of sound. With each release, the group has deepened their identity as one of the genre’s most evocative and emotionally resonant voices.

And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter continues Oh Hiroshima’s pursuit to refine the balance between vulnerability and power. At the core of their sound lies a delicate interplay between restraint and release. Their compositions carefully cultivate tension, letting each layer unfold organically: chiming guitars, distant reverberations, and minimal rhythmic pulses that feel suspended in air, all contrast against the heavily drenched power they can unleash. Whether the passage be titanic or still, Oh Hiroshima establish a sense of openness and emotional ambiguity, allowing listeners to settle into the sonic landscape as the music works its slow ascent.

Commenting on the album, the band state: “The album title And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter is taken from T. S. Eliot’s epic poem The Waste Land. For this album, the dead tree works as a metaphor for ways of living that drain the world of meaning and offer no real way of navigating the hardships of life. We are living in a time when it has become harder and harder to imagine a bright future. This leaves many of us with a deep sense of hopelessness that easily breeds cynicism and apathy. In that state it becomes easy to shut the world out and give up any attempts at meaningful interaction with the world around us. A destructive cycle follows, as this leaves us with no way of sheltering ourselves from our initial despair at the state of things. But these songs also aim to paint something meaningful and hopeful. A form of idealisation not rooted in naivety but in realism, because we need ideals to gather enough strength to leave the shelterless dead trees of our lives behind.” 

Oh Hiroshima consistently demonstrate a growing confidence in exploring the edges of their sound. Backed by special guests, a whole array of instrumentation and a growing pallet for wider experimentation, And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter evokes Oh Hiroshima’s unique emotional landscape, each composition a relentlessly captivating journey that inspires reflection and release. Every motif, choice and touch contribute to the shifting terrains that gradually unfold into luminous intensity. By blending harmonics, immersive production and a deeply intuitive sense of pacing, Oh Hiroshima have crafted an album that is woven with intimacy and expansively felt.

“We tracked the foundation of the record (drums, bass and electric guitars) at Studio Gröndahl with Karl Daniel Lidén (Swarm of the Sun), who has worked with many really good bands before, he took great care in the drum setup and recording, and we’re especially happy with how that turned out, adds vocalist Jakob Hemström. The rest of the album was recorded in Örebro by me and my brother, with a little help from some friends of the band. Production-wise this is our most ambitious record by far because of the number of instruments and musicians that contributed. Ten additional musicians were involved this time around. Magnus Lindberg mixed and mastered the album. It’s the third time in a row. He’s great to work with, has a great résumé, and always delivers quality work.”

And the Dead Tree Gives No Shelter track list:

1. Servant of All
2. Meridian
3. Angelos
4. Skeleton Key
5. Tree of Life
6. Broken Sunlight
7. Ivory Tower
8. Exit Cloud

Catch the band live on the following dates and at Pelagic Fest in August, with more dates to be announced soon. Tickets available here. 

May 22 – Jaz – Rostock (DE) 
May 23 – Wave-Gotik-Treffen – Leipzig (DE) 
May 24 – Speicher – Husum (DE) 
Jul 31 – Fekete Zaj (HU) 
Aug 29 – Pelagic Fest, (NL)
Oct 03 – Festival Les Lunatiques, Rennes (FR)
Oct 15 – Warsaw, Potok (PL) 
Oct 16 – Poznan, Pod Minoga (PL) 
Oct 17 – Chorzow, Lesniczowka (PL) 
Oct 18 – Budapest, Turbina (HU) 
Oct 19 – Vienna, Viper Room (AT) 
Oct 20 – Prague, Strahov 007 (CZ) *
Oct 21 – Mainz, Club Schon Schon (DE) *
Oct 22 – Waregem, CC De Shakel (BE) *
Oct 23 – Paris, Petit Bain (FR) *
Oct 24 – Haarlem, Patronaat (NL) *
Oct 25 – Hamburg, MS Stubnitz (DE) *

* with Barrens

Tickets: ohhiroshima.com

Oh Hiroshima are:

Jakob Hemström: Guitar, Bass and Vocals
Oskar Nilsson: Drums and Percussion

For more information: INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • BANDCAMP • PELAGIC ARTIST PAGE

FIMBUL WINTER – Ft. Former Members of AMON AMARTH – Present New Single ‘Crowned In Ash’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FIMBUL WINTER. Leave a comment
L – R: Fredrik Andersson (guitars), Niko Kaukinen (drums), Clint Williams (vocals), Anders Biazzi (guitars)

Forging a sound that is heavy, melodic and atmospheric, FIMBUL WINTER honor the legacy of their death metal foundations producing music that feels familiar yet is modern in its approach. “Crowned In Ash” is the latest release from FIMBUL WINTER following the 2025 debut EP What Once Was. 

With a line-up formed of three previous members of AMON AMARTH, and completed with Clint Williams, FIMBUL WINTER embarks on greater exploration and development of melodic death metal. Drawing from their knowledge and experience in AMON AMARTH, and expanding further their artistic boundaries, FIMBUL WINTER brings power, energy and intensity into all of their sonic offerings. 

“Crowned In Ash” emerges from the flames in an enticing soundscape infused with intriguing melodic leads. Driving rhythms take precedence pushing the track’s momentum forward while guitar leads continue to entwine across the instrumental layers and Clint Williams’ monstrous vocals are unleashed above. 

The band states “There was never a question of what we should sound like, we’ve been shaping this sound/genre for decades, this is in our DNA”

An authoritative force prevails across the choruses in “Crowned In Ash”. The fast-pace lessens its grip to allow the progressions and vocal performance the space to land with thunderous impact. FIMBUL WINTER ensure the track’s main riff remains compelling and constant throughout, while deploying enveloping, shifting dynamics throughout the musical arrangement. 

Drums and guitars on “Crowned In Ash” were recorded at Studio Fluff Vasteras with engineer Andreas Moren while vocals were recorded at Witching Hour Audio and engineered by Shaun Farrugia. Risa Andersson contributed bass performance on the single and mixing and mastering was completed by Marko Tervonen at Studio-MT. The cover artwork for “Crowned in Ash” was created by Katarzyna Urbanek.

About FIMBUL WINTER:

Comprised of three former members of AMON AMARTH, including founding members Niko Kaukinen and Anders Biazzi, FIMBUL WINTER strive to redefine melodic death metal. Based out of Stockholm, Sweden and Melbourne, Australia, FIMBUL WINTER formed in 2023 building upon their roots and the members’ legacies in Swedish death metal. 

FIMBUL WINTER’s beginnings grew from a spontaneous reunion performing AMON AMARTH’s 1994 demo titled The Arrival Of The Fimbul Winter. The instant connection between the musicians ignited a desire to create something new that captured the essence of Swedish death metal in an updated style that is clean and modern without being polished to its detriment. 2025 brought this vision to life with the unveiling of the ensemble’s first EP, What Once Was.

The new single release, “Crowned In Ash” marks the band’s continuing trajectory. FIMBUL WINTER push their compositional creativity while striving to remain truly authentic to a sound they helped to craft. 

FIMBUL WINTER Is:

Niko Kaukinen – Drums
Fredrik Andersson – Guitars
Anders Biazzi – Guitars
Clint Williams – Vocals

Connect WithFIMBUL WINTER:

Bandcamp: https://fimbulwinterswe.bandcamp.com/
E-Shop: https://www.visionmerch.com/fimbul-winter/ (US), https://www.cudgel.de/ (EU)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fimbulwinterswe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fimbulwinterswe/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fimbul.winter.sweden
Twitter/X: https://x.com/FimbulWinterSwe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FimbulWinter-Official
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EnoFDhhfqaRU2usjJXJEu
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fimbul-winter/1833423705

LEVARA Reunite for 5th Anniversary of Self-Titled Debut Album with Three Bonus Tracks + Share Brand New Video Single ‘Show Me The Way’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LEVARA. Leave a comment
Photo (c) Michelle Weber

LEVARA reunite to celebrate the 5th anniversary of their soaring, kaleidoscopic, self-titled debut. LEVARA (Digital Deluxe), featuring three bonus tracks, is out today on Mascot Records and available to stream HERE.
​
To accompany the announcement, they reveal the video for ‘Show Me The Way.’ The song features Journey’s Steve Perry on backing vocals, and the video traces the band’s emotional journey. 

When they released the album, the world was at their feet. The three friends, Trev Lukather (guitar), Jules Galli (vocals), and Josh Devine (drums), created something thoroughly modern yet unmistakably classic.
​
Reflecting on the time since the release, Trev Lukather says, “The stars have aligned for LEVARA to reunite and give this album the opportunity it deserves. Partnering again with Mascot for the 5-year anniversary remastered rerelease feels full circle—a chance to honour the music with a clearer perspective and stronger footing. The past five years brought growth, hard lessons, and experience. Looking back, it feels like it was all meant to unfold this way. We needed that time to see how much LEVARA means to us. And we’re just getting started.”

Trev Lukather, Jules Galli and Josh Devine forged their musical union in Los Angeles, one of The World’s epicentres of musical creativity. Singer Galli had relocated to California from France, while drummer Devine chose L.A. as home over his native United Kingdom following success behind the kit with One Direction. There, they found common vision with guitarist Trev Lukather.  The album produced five incredible singles: ‘Ever Enough,’ ‘Chameleon,’ ‘Heaven Knows,’ ‘Ordinary, and ‘Automatic.’
​
Talking about the new song  ‘Show Me The Way,’ Lukather says, “This was one of the last songs we tracked for our debut album. The creative energy was unreal. When I played the idea to the guys, it clicked instantly. We all sat together working out the top line. We just found the original voice note from that writing session. You can hear Jules finding the melody and words, and the rest of us helping shape what he was suggesting.”

In 2021, the plan was simple: tour, work the album to success, then release this song as the exclamation point. Steve Perry was with the band daily, helping shape the arrangement and vocals.
​
Lukather adds, “The wild part is this: after the breakup and reconnecting five years later to finally release these deluxe tracks as a fresh beginning, ‘Show Me The Way’ resonates even more now.”
​
“Five years after its release, we believe in this music as deeply as when we recorded it in 2020. You can hear the miles in it: two years paying our dues on the road before signing with Mascot Records, the hunger, urgency, and clarity forming in real time. Mascot gave us the freedom to make the album we wanted, pushing us to raise the bar. Everyone brought their A-game. It felt like the Super Bowl—no one wanted to drop the ball. We were there to win.”
​
The album features friend and legend Steve Perry, who contributed background vocals on ‘Chameleon,’ ‘Can’t Get Over,’ and ‘Show Me The Way.’ David Paich added his unmistakable touch on piano to ‘Who I Am’ and ‘All On Us.’

Reminiscing, he smiles, “Jules delivered a defining vocal performance across the album — this was his first full statement to the world, and he approached it with intention and fire. Josh tracked the drums in just two days. He’s an alien on the kit — deep pocket, effortless chops, and details you catch on the tenth listen. Part of the LEVARA family was also Sam Porcaro, who brought that unmistakable Porcaro feel on bass on the studio sessions and tours  — a beautiful second-generation Toto moment with Sam and me sharing that musical lineage on this record.”
​
“We haven’t lost our strength—we’ve evolved. The new music proves it. Get ready,” he says.

Track Listing

1. Heaven Knows
2. Automatic
3. Ever Enough
4. On For The Night
5. Allow
6. Can’t Get over
7. Chameleon
8. Ordinary
9. Just A Man
10. No One Above You
11. Show Me The Way (Bonus Track)
12. Who I Am (Bonus Track)
13. All On Us (Bonus Track)

Tour dates

07.11.2026 Weert | Poppodium De Bosuil | Tickets
08.11.2026 Dortmund | Musiktheater Piano | Tickets
10.11.2026 Ittre | Zik-Zak | Tickets
11.11.2026 Paris | Nouveau Casino | Tickets
14.11.2026 Cologne | Garagen Club Köln | Tickets
15.11.2026 Hamburg | Nochtspeicher | Tickets
16.11.2026 Aschaffenburg | Colos-Saal | Tickets
18.11.2026 Zurich | Xtra Music Cafe | Tickets
19.11.2026 Bern | OldCapitol | Tickets
20.11.2026 Milano | Casa di Alex | Tickets
21.11.2026 Cervia | Discoteca Rock Planet | Tickets

LEVARA Online:  
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify

THE GHOULSTARS Premiere New Album “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”, Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THE GHOULSTARS. Leave a comment
Photo by Toni Hiltunen

Flying saucers, a pet werewolf, Ghostbustin’ proton streams,  joyrides in the Cadillac that once belonged to Children of Bodom vocalist and guitarist Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho. Meet The Ghoulstars, a fresh – and frightening blast from pop-culture’s past. Since beaming down onto their native haunt of Finland, these horror punks have tantalized crowds and captured the attention of CNN, Metal Hammer and other international press with their monstrously catchy mash-up of metal, punk and cult classics. Their blockbuster debut album, The Dark Overlords of the Universe, hit shelves yesterday, Friday, May 15.

“A monstrously good opening move that’s sure to invite repeated listens”, Soundi wrote about The Dark Overlords of the Universe in a 4/5 review. “This is a band you’ll definitely want to hear more from in the future”.

“It’s like a delicious kid’s cereal that has a shockingly healthy nutritional label and way more fiber than you remember: it’s good shit”, New Noise attests in an interview with The Ghoulstars guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso.

Lucky ghouls can hear all of The Dark Overlords of the Universe before the album comes out tomorrow by listening to the full album stream today on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves”, Laakso says. “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!”.

Listen to The Dark Overlords of the Universe:

Order the album here: https://orcd.co/theghoulstarsdarkoverlords

Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. Axeman Daddy Ghoul and goose-bumping drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen shared a past life together in Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen formerly haunted the low end for Hooded Menace while moonhowler Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure croons for the stoner rockers Thermate.

While the initial inspiration for The Ghoulstars came after burning rubber to Venom, The Dark Overlords of the Universe is possessed by a love for everything that blew the band’s minds as kids. The title track crosses surf beats, heavy riffing and a hair-raising transition into a chorus that’s absolutely to die for. With Mötley Crüe’s pomp and the can’t-do attitude of Twisted Sister roaming its halls, lead single “Too Ghoul for School” is jam-packed with more fun-filled ‘80s antics than Saturday afternoon detention.  

“The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen”, says Triptykon guitarist and vocalist V. Santura, who mixed and mastered The Dark Overlords of the Universe.

The Misfits, White Zombie and other cultishly beloved touchstones like The Wolfman jump out during the album’s crisp 34-minute runtime. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays homage to an Ed Wood B-horror classic with a headbanging chorus, though not many straight-up punk rippers are enlivened by a doomy C-part and güiro. The Ghoulstars also enter original plots into horror’s hallowed crypt. Set amidst the cruel unfeeling world of the Wild West, “The Dead in Purgatory” rides a galloping melody after Morricone’s heart into a sunset that’s colored by the fifty shades of Volbeat.

The Ghoulstars may be undead, but there’s nothing pale or lifeless about The Dark Overlords of the Universe. Thanks to the rapid anticipation around the album, the band have signed to Nem Agency, which is one of the largest music promoters in Finland. Keep your eyes peeled for more live dates coming soon!

Tracklist
1. Too Ghoul for School (3:57) [WATCH]
2. The Dead in Purgatory (4:04)
3. Zombie Apocalypse (2:52)
4. The Dark Overlords of the Universe (3:43) [WATCH]
5. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (3:16)
6. Graverobbers from Outer Space (3:46) [WATCH]
7. The Wolfman (2:48)
8. The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits (2:19)
9. Vampire (2:58)
10. They Dance Upon Our Graves (3:52)

Old crusty metalheads can be stuck in their ways, but The Ghoulstars are a fresh — and frightening — blast from the past. Since invading the land of the living back in 2021, the horror punk supergroup has captivated press and tantalized crowds in their native haunt of Finland without releasing a single bloody track. Until now! Evil mastermind Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso and his fellow pop-culture junkies are raising the cobwebbed curtain from their blockbuster debut album. On The Dark Overlords of the Universe, no tome is too sacred for these ghouls to summon back to life!  

“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves”, Laakso says. “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!”.

Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. Axeman Laakso and goose-bumping drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen shared a past life together in the Top Ten charting Finnish death-doom band Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen formerly haunted the low end for Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace while moonhowler Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure croons for the stoner rockers Thermate.  

Banding The Ghoulstars together is a freaky obsession with the classic metal, punk and movies that blew their minds as kids. The Dark Overlords of the Universe is named after the many-teethed mutants from the 1986 cult classic Howard the Duck. “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”, Laakso reveals. As a young skeleton, he frequently raided European record store crates for The Misfits, Bad Religion and obscure metal finds, though the album’s lead single spun off from his schooling in the U.S. With Mötley Crüe’s pomp and the can’t-do attitude of Twisted Sister roaming its halls, lead single “Too Ghoul for School” is jam-packed with more fun-filled ‘80s antics than Saturday afternoon detention.  

“Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are some of my favorite movies”, Laakso applauds. “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 ingenious creation to life, The Ghoulstars summoned V. Santura of the mighty Triptykon for the mixing and mastering of The Dark Overlords of the Universe. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays homage to Ed Wood’s B-horror classic Plan 9 from Outer Space with a straight-up headbanging chorus, though not many clear-cut punk rippers are enlivened by a doomy C-part and güiro. “That’s one of my favorite moments on the album”, Laakso recalls. The Wolfman, a zombie apocalypse, the brain that wouldn’t die and other cultishly beloved touchstones jump out during the album’s crisp 34-minute runtime. Though the band also enter original plots to horror’s hallowed crypt. Set amidst the cruel unfeeling world of the Wild West, “The Dead in Purgatory” rides a galloping melody after Morricone’s heart into a sunset that’s colored by the fifty shades of Volbeat.

“No spoilers, but all cowboy hats aside, that song deals with feeling hopeless and abandoned by someone close to you who needs but refuses your help”, teases Laakso.  

The Ghoulstars may be undead, but there’s nothing pale or lifeless about The Dark Overlords of the Universe. The title track crosses surf beats, heavy riffing and a hair-raising transition into a chorus that’s absolutely to die for. “We can’t wait to unleash this delightful horror upon the world”, Laakso says with an ominous glint in his bloodshot eye. “As V. Santura told me: ‘The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen’”.        

With The Dark Overlords of the Universe, The Ghoulstars direct a monstrously catchy mash-up between metal, punk and B-horror.

Lineup
Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – Guitars
Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – Drums
Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure – Vocals
Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – Bass

Guest musicians
Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (…and Oceans, Finntrol) – Backing Growls
Tommi “Tuple” Salmela (Tarot, Raskasta Joulua, Lazy Bones) – Backing Vocals on “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”)

Production credits
Produced by Markus Laakso
Guitars recorded by Markus Laakso and Erkka Närhi
Vocals recorded by Markus Laakso and Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns
Drums recorded by Erkka Närhi
Bass recorded by Samu Männikkö and Markus Laakso
Percussion recorded by Markus Laakso
Mixed & Mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio in Germany

Cover art: Niko Anttila

Follow The Ghoulstars
Official website: http://www.theghoulstars.com
Bandcamp: https://theghoulstars.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Pr3ThFZK0tnUDqDSlMuBX
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-ghoulstars/1872811142
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhoulstars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theghoulstars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theghoulstars/

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