PRESIDENT: King of Terrors
PRESIDENT’s ‘King of Terrors’ EP is a gripping thesis on conflicting spirituality, existential fear and identity. Fronted by the mysterious figure known only as THE PRESIDENT, this six-track collection pulls you in with mystique before tearing open heavy alt-metal foundations. Synth-electronic elements weave throughout, challenging the listener’s personal trinity of ethos, pathos and logos.
The English metal band is still a mystery the scene is trying to decode. What’s clear is that they’re a dark force. Growls, screams, heavy riffs and crashing synths define their sound. The lyrics play with religious symbols and the power of threes. Themes of death, morality and self-awareness are flipped against ideas of balance, divinity and truth.
‘In the Name of the Father’, their debut single, sets the tone for the EP. Guitarist HEIST, bassist PROTEST and drummer VICE lay down haunting riffs and unsettling percussion under THE PRESIDENT’s commanding shouts. The lyrics deal with spiritual loss, the tension between hope and neglect and a call-and-response chorus filled with doubts of dogma — echoing long after the song ends.
“Oh, Father, I can’t hear You yet
I want to feel You near, it’s suffocating”
‘Fearless’ goes deeper into emotional vulnerability — raw, aggressive and bleeding with anger. Themes of abandonment and worship flow through the vocals, building to an explosive breakdown. It’s a desperate plea for belonging that clings to you.
“How the hell do I pretend? Just tell me it’ll make sense in the end
I can’t lie to myself, it fucks with my health, I just want to be fearless”
‘Rage’ brings a shift in texture, trading some of the aggression for sharp, EDM-inspired synths. It balances hope and shadow, building to a rapid breakdown that ties light and dark together with purpose. The final track, ‘Conclave’, mirrors that duality — bright, optimistic sound design cracked by dark alt-metal roots and a final crushing drop to close the EP.
The heaviest hitters — ‘Destroy Me’ and ‘Dionysus’ — are the neck-snapping anchors of the record. ‘Destroy Me’, a personal standout, builds on the earlier tracks and takes things further. The vocals carry regret and acceptance, rising and falling through waves of emotion, while drums and synths tear through the mix.
“I keep trying to restore me, let it all just wash away
But I’m stuck in a place that I can’t escape
Get me out of this hell”
The track collapses into the EP’s most chaotic breakdown, with THE PRESIDENT shouting the chorus in rising desperation. ‘Dionysus’ follows by diving straight into the deep end. Only brief moments of softness and clean vocals offer contrast. The song’s push-pull mirrors its lyrical metaphors, ending in a brutal breakdown that ties back to the EP’s core sound.
“I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying to look away
Throwing out lines, watch me levitate…”
‘King of Terrors’ plays like a personal descent and ascension. The anonymity of its members lets listeners step into the narrative themselves. It’s theologically charged, sharply crafted and a bold entry into the modern metal landscape. Released independently and gaining momentum with upcoming UK festival appearances, PRESIDENT has my vote — and I’ll be at the next rally.