president releases king of terrors and builds its myth with real weight
president releases king of terrors and builds its myth with real weight
The EP is out now, and it doesn't blink
PRESIDENT has released their debut EP, King of Terrors, on September 26. It follows four singles—“In The Name Of The Father,” “Fearless,” “Rage,” and “Destroy Me.” What started as a cryptic presence on a festival bill has now taken full form: a concept-heavy metal band with tight execution and no interest in playing it safe.
The project started as a solo experiment before becoming a full band. No traditional rollout. Just an unannounced booking at Download Festival 2025, followed by an Instagram account, sparse visuals, and a few short clips. Then came the music—first with In The Name Of The Father, which immediately earned a “Tune of the Week” spot on BBC Radio 1. The track put the project on the map and made it clear that this wasn’t a gimmick. There was direction behind the mask.
The group’s first live show at The Garage in London sold out in less than two days. By mid-year, they had already played Download, signed onto Architects’ European arena run, and were announced to headline Takedown Festival 2026.
The new EP, King of Terrors, focuses on themes of religion, mortality, and existential crisis. The title references a biblical term for death, and the tracks lean hard into dread. Musically, it blends metal with electronic layers, post-hardcore breakdowns, and moments of silence that feel like tension stretched thin. “Rage” carries synth-heavy weight. “Destroy Me” uses space and melody to cut into emotional collapse. The band isn’t interested in genre loyalty. They’re building around feeling.
The frontman—known only as The President—has said the project comes from a personal unraveling, shaped by religious trauma and fear of death. He’s compared the creative approach to the atmosphere of The Shining—uncomfortable, quiet in the wrong places, and too intentional to ignore. “I wanted it to feel beautiful but unsettling,” he told Revolver.
Visually, the band presents itself with strict consistency. Performances are called “rallies.” Press updates are “endorsements.” Videos are “broadcasts.” Their social channels use campaign language without irony. That framing doesn’t feel tacked on—it’s part of the structure. Even in interviews, The President stays in character. There’s no fourth wall.
The band has rejected claims of being an industry plant, stating that the EP was self-produced and independently released. They’ve credited the momentum to friends and supporters online, not label machinery.
PRESIDENT is already working on a full-length album. The next release is expected to expand the lore behind the character and build further into the band’s narrative world.
King of Terrors is streaming now.
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