2025 has seen PRESIDENT burst onto the scene as one of rock and metal’s most talked-about names. With the mystique comes a weight of expectation. Yet they’ve already captured a following with their April 2026 UK headline tour being a complete sell-out. That’s not bad for a band with two performances and four singles under their belt. It’s the latter reason why it makes their debut EP, ‘King of Terrors’, slightly redundant.
Even though ‘In The Name of the Father,’ ‘Fearless,’ ‘RAGE,’ and ‘Destroy Me’ still all have the same bombastic impact they had when individually released. However, with playlists, algorithms, and short attention spans being integral to modern music consumption, it’s expected that singles will be released quickly in succession. Anyway, I digress…
On the surface, ‘King of Terrors’ serves its purpose as an introduction to the world of PRESIDENT. It’s one that blends glossy electronic flourishes with reliable metalcore riffs. The opening pair of ‘In The Name of the Father’ and ‘Fearless’ set the tone from the outset, bordering on chaos with introspective and religious lyricism. ‘RAGE’ utilises slick electronic beats before erupting with a blast of arena-sized melodic metalcore. It’s effective, if not slightly formulaic. The fourth single, ‘Destroy Me,’ thankfully fares better, despite using similar elements. Aided by drummer Vice’s blast beats and punching stare, and Heist’s muscular guitar bites with ferocity.
So what about the two previously unreleased tracks? Well, first there is ‘Dionysus’. Here is where the Sleep Token comparisons rear their head, along with a hint of a certain band beginning with the letter ‘F’. Using eerie atmosphere with bulging guitar drops leads to elevating vocals from our enigmatic frontman. In terms of quality, it’s on par with the singles, yet like them, it’s hindered by the use of vocal manipulation. Then there’s ‘Conclave’, which ends the EP on a whimper. Even though the use of melancholy piano keys tries to be compelling, it breaks into hollow electronic beats and crunching guitars. The expected payoff doesn’t quite hit as hard as it should, although the quartet have shown they’re capable of doing so.
‘King of Terrors’ isn’t quite the grand inauguration that the talk that preceded PRESIDENT promised. Those who have bought into the rhetoric that they’re serving will be satisfied. However, for those who are more sceptical, and with an eye on the long-term picture, PRESIDENT still have a lot to prove beyond hulking riffs, experimental brevity, and tweaked vocals. The intention is there, yet they’re still a work in progress.
‘King of Terrors’ by PRESIDENT is released on September 26th.
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