EP REVIEW: President – King Of Terrors

‘…the junk food of metalcore; tasty and certain to scratch an itch, but you probably wouldn’t call it good cooking…’

President’s rise to the front lines of metal has been nothing short of meteoric. Emerging as an unrecognised name on Download’s 2025 line-up, the masked anonymous four-piece engaged in an enigmatic social media campaign that invited prospective listeners to be informed of the band’s debut single, dropping mysterious videos that featured the eponymous frontman, The President. The band’s debut single ‘In The Name Of The Father‘, was an instant hit, and the band have gone on to garner both a cult-like fanbase, and a sizeable amount of detractors.

With features in Rock Sound and Revolver under their belt, alongside a sold-out headline tour and a supporting role for Architects coming up, suspicions have been raised of the band being an ‘industry plant’, although a little digging indicates that this is a band composed of musicians that have been in the alternative scene for quite some time. Regardless, their debut EP, ‘King Of Terrors‘ is a self-produced and independent release that is certain secure the band’s spot at the peak of modern metalcore outfits, for better or for worse.

This is a clean, slick, well-choreographed collection of pop and trap infused metalcore anthems that fits in right alongside current titans such as Sleep Token, Bring Me The Horizon, and Bad Omens. ‘In The Name Of The Father’ is a wicked opening number, with immense choruses and a real aura of mystique. The vocal melodies are distorted yet rich, as The President weaves biblical imagery into lyricism that grapples with broken faith. ‘RAGE’ is perhaps the EP’s major highlight, offering a bristling, lo-fi performance, with glitching backing vocals and rattling electronic percussion. The choruses are weighty with punchy riffs, adding some fierce and much appreciated contrast.

Yet it is simply undeniable that whilst this EP is well-performed and well-produced, with plenty of great hooks and chunky breakdowns, it is also a project that feels deeply lacking in creativity. ‘King Of Terrors’ often feels like painting-by-numbers for metalcore musicians, with a sound that feels certain to live and die by the changing of musical trends; there is zero sticking power behind any of the work here, perhaps with the exception of ‘RAGE‘. ‘Fearless’ has some catchy choruses, but is otherwise dreadfully formulaic, with a completely uninspired melody and structure. ‘Destroy Me’ offers a thunderous breakdown and a compelling vocal performance, but ultimately feels like a Sleep Token b-side. The EP thankfully ends on a strong note, with the cinematic ‘Conclave‘ opening with glittering ambience and piano melodies, before ramping up into a powerful, alternative metal ballad.

Whilst subjectively, it can be easy to enjoy what President offer here, it is impossible to not objectively have some disappointment in the lack of innovation or originality. ‘King Of Terrors’ is the junk food of metalcore; tasty and certain to scratch an itch, but you probably wouldn’t call it good cooking. This debut offering unfortunately lives and dies by whether you like what is trending in metal right now; it does not challenge, it does not reinvent, it does not evolve upon. Bangers and masks will only take them so far, but it’s worth indulging in for now.

RATING: 74/100 – Good

For Fans Of: Sleep Token, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Twenty One Pilots

Physical copies are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify