Photo Credit: Press
Words: @amplifywithamy

From the first guttural scream that tears open In The Name Of The Father, PRESIDENT make their intentions brutally clear: this is not just music, it’s a movement. Masked, anonymous and unapologetic, the band – frontman President on vocals, with Heist (guitar), Protest (bass), and Vice (drums) – prove that we don’t need to know their true identity for them to burst onto the music scene with undeniable presence. Their debut EP King Of Terrors is as much a statement of identity as it is a collection of songs, pushing beyond genre boundaries into something fiercely their own.

Drawing its title from a Biblical reference, the EP circles themes of death, belief and resistance. The result is a body of work that feels almost militant, while still revealing flashes of tenderness.

Fearless locks in immediately with Vice’s drumming – a relentless backbone that commands attention – while RAGE might be the boldest track of the lot. Its electronic leaning intro wouldn’t feel out of place on a Fred Again record, before erupting into four minutes of chaos and catharsis. It’s a reminder that PRESIDENT refuse to be pigeonholed; their art includes both heavy riffs and glitchy synths, sometimes in the same breath.

Destroy Me is tailor made for the stage. The post chorus drop – all screams, serrated guitars and feral energy – will no doubt be the eruption point of their live shows. By contrast, Dionysus offers a glimpse into the band’s vulnerability, President delivering lines like “If I stare at the stars for long enough, would I see you smile?” with aching sincerity before the track collapses back into mayhem. It’s this juxtaposition, romance against rage, that defines the band’s edge.

Closing track Conclave strips everything back. Soft vocals dominate with just a shadow of a scream towards the end. The final words – “Cause you never hold me through my darkest nights / But I would love you anyway, even in the afterlife” – leave the EP lingering long after it ends.

What sets PRESIDENT apart is not just their sound but their refusal to conform. By weaving electronic elements into alt-metal, by embracing anonymity while calling for unity, they position themselves less as a band and more as a rallying point. King Of Terrors doesn’t just entertain; it recruits.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5