Ghoul is an American death/thrash metal band from Oakland, California, formed in 2001. Though the members conceal their identities, some members or past members of Ghoul play or have played in other bands such as Impaled, Dystopia, Wolves in the Throne Room, Exhumed, Phobia, Morbid Angel, Asunder and Morbosidad. Ghoul has released five studio albums.
Contents
History
Ghoul was signed after self-releasing a demo. In 2008, Ghoul released a split 7-inch with Brody's Militia. In November 2011, the band released their fourth album, Transmission Zero, and embarked on a North American tour opening for Gwar. In early 2012, Ghoul toured the United States, opening for Gwar. In mid-2012, the band headlined a tour of the U.S., playing festivals such as Maryland Deathfest, Chaos in Tejas, and the third annual Gwar B-Q. The band teamed up with Cannabis Corpse for a brief tour of Europe in January/February 2013.
Style
Ghoul plays a blend of thrash metal and grindcore with death metal vocals and lyrics. Kerrang! described the band as "cannibal thrashers".
The masked members go by the stage names Digestor, Cremator, Dissector and Fermentor. The band's lyrics describe a large cast of characters, including themselves. Much of the known information concerning the band comes from the "Curio Shop Owner", one of the many characters mentioned in their songs. They claim to be mutants that come from Creepsylvania.
Members
Sean "Digestor" McGrath – lead guitar, lead vocals (2001–present)
Ross "Cremator" Sewage – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
Peter "Dissector" Svoboda – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–present)
Adam "Fermentor" Houman – drums, backing vocals (2022–present)
Former members
Justin "Dr. X" Green – drums (2001)
Raul "Fermentor" Varela – drums (2001–2004)
Andrew "Cremator" LaBarre – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals (2001–2003)
Dino "Fermentor" Sommese – drums, backing vocals (2004–2013)
Dan "Dissector" Randall – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2004–2014)
Peژ "Fermentor" Mon – drums (2013–2017)
Justin "Fermentor" Ennis – drums, backing vocals (2017–2020)
Live crew/character performers
Scott Bryan
Peter "Pove" Povey
Scotty Heath
Dave Swafford
Peter "Hmong the Living" Vang
Characters
Mr. Fang – The Curio Shop Owner
The Swamp Hag – Witch
The Mutant Mutilator – aka The Gore Boar
Killbot – Mark I and Mark II (with Walt Disney's brain)
The Ghoul Hunter
Kogar the Destructor
Baron Samedi
Constance Spoogeous – Death Humper – Holocaust survivor – Child Predator – Salvation Army Bell Ringer
The Grand Basilisk – The Cult Leader
Skuz – Crusty punk and owner of the Dog Armpit
Kreeg – Motorcycle and surfing enthusiast, monster
Commandant Yanish Dobrunkum – Ruler of Creepsylvania
Bernard Fussbottom – Tech entrepreneur and inventor of the I-Eye Mark I
Discography
Studio albums
We Came for the Dead!!! (2002, Razorback Records)
Maniaxe (2003, Razorback Records)
Splatterthrash (2006, Razorback Records) (reissue 2011, Tankcrimes)
Transmission Zero (2011, Tankcrimes)
Hang Ten (EP) (2014, Tankcrimes)
Dungeon Bastards (2016, Tankcrimes)
Noxious Concoctions (EP) (2024 Tankcrimes)
Live albums
Live In The Flesh (2021, Tankcrimes)
Compilation and split albums
We Came for the Dead & Maniaxe (2008, Tankcrimes)
Ghoul / Brody's Militia (2008, Rescued from Life Records)
Splatterhash (split with Cannabis Corpse, 2013, Tankcrimes)
Ill Bill / Ghoul (2018, Tankcrimes)
Demo
Ghoul's Night Out (2001, self-released demo)
"Graveyard Mosh"
"Ghoul"
"Rot Gut"
"Ghouls Night Out" (Misfits cover)
Single
"Kids in America" (2012, Tankcrimes; Kim Wilde cover)
"Nazi Smasher" (2020, Tankcrimes)