President (band)

Last updated

President
President's Band Members.png
President band members. From top-left to bottom-right: Vice, The President, Heist and Protest.
Background information
Origin United Kingdom
Genres Alternative metal
Works Discography
Years active2025–present
Members
  • The President
  • Heist
  • Protest
  • Vice
Website presidentband.com

President (stylised as PRESIDENT) are an anonymous English metal band formed in 2025. [1] Their frontman, the eponymous President, is described by Revolver as "silver-haired, wearing an eerie, not-quite-lifelike mask etched with deep wrinkles and radiating wax-figure unease". [2] They released their debut EP, King Of Terrors, in 2025. Within the first month of release the band had already amassed 40 million global streams.

Contents

The band's current lineup consists of The President (vocals), Heist (guitarist), Protest (bassist) and Vice (drummer). [1] While their identities remain concealed, multiple sources have suggested the masked lead vocalist is Charlie Simpson, co-lead vocalist and guitarist for Busted and former frontman for Fightstar. [3] [4] [5] [6]

History

Beginnings and initial releases

In an interview with Revolver, it was revealed that band began as a solo project and later expanded into a full band. [2] Development of the project occurred over several years in complete secrecy until the band was announced as a performer at the 2025 Download Festival in February 2025, [2] [7] confusing fans as no details were released as to who the band was and they had released no music. [8] Shortly afterward, the band created an Instagram page and started posting cryptic teasers. [9]

In April 2025, they released a teaser for a new song, [10] [11] their debut single "In The Name of the Father", released on 15 May 2025. [12] [13] [14] The song was named "Tune of the Week" on BBC Radio 1 and they appeared on the cover of an issue of Rock Sound. [15] [16] Speculation ran rampant on who the band was, as fans discovered ties to the band with several companies used by another masked band Sleep Token (who were headlining Download Festival that year) and using similar iconography to Crosses. [17] [18] [9] On May 21, they announced their first headlining show at The Garage in London. The show, which took place on July 30, sold out in less than 48 hours. [19] [20] A second single, "Fearless", was released on 5 June 2025. [18] [21] The band debuted at Download Festival 2025 in June 2025. [22] [23] Their performance was praised by Kerrang! as an "absolute pandemonium from the off," and was favorably received by the crowd. [24] The band was later announced to open for Architects for several dates between December 2025 and January 2026. [25]

King of Terrors (2025–present)

On 18 July 2025, the band announced their debut EP, King of Terrors , to be released on September 26, accompanied by the third single "Rage". [26] The band's fourth single, "Destroy Me", was released on September 4. [27] Following the release of "Destroy Me", it was announced that President would be headlining the upcoming TakeDown Festival 2026, set to take place at Portsmouth Guildhall in April 2026, with the band scheduled to headline on Saturday, April 4. [28]

On 17 September, in an interview with Kerrang! , the band confirmed they were working on their debut album, which will expand on the lore of the President character. [29] Several days later, the band was announced for multiple upcoming festivals: Slam Dunk festival (23-24 May 2026), [30] Nova Rock Festival (12 June), [31] Rock for People festival (13 June), [32] and Copenhell festival (24-27 June). [33]

President’s swift ascent has led to speculation that the band may be an industry plant. [34] [35] The frontman rejected the claim as "bewildering", emphasizing that King of Terrors was self-produced, independently released, and promoted through grassroots efforts by friends and online supporters, without label involvement or major industry backing. [35]

On 26 September, the EP was released worldwide, [36] along with neon-stylized visualizer videos for the both "Dionysus" and "Conclave". [37] [38]

On 1 October, the band announced a one-off Australian show that's set to take place on 12 December, coinciding with their tour in support of Architects. [39] A week later, the band was announced for the upcoming Greenfield Festival (11-13 June).

Musical style, themes, and imagery

"This is not an anti-religious project, it’s not an anti-government project, it’s not an anti-politics project. It’s about dealing with inner questions."

The President on the band's purpose [29]
Official band logotype featuring a patriarchal cross. President (band) logo.webp
Official band logotype featuring a patriarchal cross.

The band has been described as alternative metal. [40] Their third single "Rage" is described as a "swirling, synth-laden cut", in contrast to the previous single's guitar-based music. [41] Lyrically, the song was inspired Dylan Thomas’s poem "Do not go gentle into that good night." [42]

President's work often explores themes of religion, mortality, and existential fear. [43] Their debut EP, King of Terrors , references the biblical figure associated with death, highlighting mortality as a central motif. [41]

The band's frontman has described the project as rooted in a personal crisis shaped by religion and loss, and has said "I didn’t want it to feel modern, I wanted it to feel like something else. We wanted to add an element of [...] discomfort, kind of in the way The Shining makes you uncomfortable. I wanted it to feel beautiful but unsettling." [2]

The band incorporates political campaign themes into its public image and press releases. Live performances are presented as "rallies," promotional materials are referred to as "endorsements," music videos as "broadcasts," and fans are encouraged to "join the campaign" to receive updates. [44]

Band members

Discography

Extended plays

TitleEP detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[45]
King of Terrors
  • Released: 26 September 2025
  • Label: King of Terrors / ADA
  • Formats: CD, DL, streaming
25

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum/EP
UK
[46]
UK Rock & Metal
[46]
UK Down.
[46]
UK Indie
[46]
US Hard Rock
"In the Name of the Father"20255219504114King of Terrors
"Fearless"713768
"Rage"983293
"Destroy Me"95319222
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other charted songs

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum/EP
US Hard Rock
"Dionysus"202524King of Terrors

Music videos

TitleYearDirector(s)Album/EP
"In the Name of the Father"2025BlindeyeKing of Terrors
"Fearless"
"Rage"
"Destroy Me"

References

  1. 1 2 Schaffner, Lauryn (18 August 2025). "Now We Know What All the Members of President Are Called".
  2. 1 2 3 4 Adams, Gregory (21 July 2025). "President: The crisis of faith behind metal's new masked sensation".
  3. Dunworth, Liberty (9 June 2025). "Is it really Charlie Simpson? Fans share theories after unmasking in new President video 'Fearless'". NME .
  4. Ambrosio, Isabella (17 May 2025). "Who Is President – And Where The Hell Did They Come From?". Metal Injection .
  5. "Masked Mystery Band President Releases First Single 'In The Name Of The Father'". Blabbermouth.net . 16 May 2025.
  6. Bowler, Derek; Badilini, Sara (21 July 2025). "Who's behind the presidential veil of masked band President?". Eurovision News . European Broadcasting Union . Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  7. Duran, Anagricel (18 February 2025). "Download 2025: Rise Against, Hatebreed, Kids In Glass Houses lead 22 names added to line-up". NME .
  8. Rigotti, Alex (16 June 2025). "Watch the mysterious President make their debut at Download 2025". NME .
  9. 1 2 Petersen, Justice (15 May 2025). "What we know about President, rock's latest masked group". Melodic Magazine.
  10. "Unknown band President drop teaser ahead of next month's big reveal". Kerrang! . 2 April 2025.
  11. Dunworth, Liberty (3 April 2025). "Download 2025's mystery band PRESIDENT share teaser".
  12. "Masked Mystery Band President Releases First Single 'In The Name Of The Father'". Blabbermouth.net . 16 May 2025.
  13. "Hear mystery band President's debut song "In the Name of the Father"". Revolver . 15 May 2025.
  14. "A message from President: "We did not come to whisper. We came to build"". Kerrang! . 16 May 2025.
  15. Wilson-Taylor, James (22 May 2025). "President Is On The Cover Of Rock Sound". Rock Sound .
  16. "President: The Masked Band Taking Over Rock And Metal | RIOT". 25 May 2025.
  17. Childers, Chad (20 February 2025). "Who Are President - The Mysterious Band Just Added to the 2025 Download Festival?". Loudwire .
  18. 1 2 "See President singer unmask in video for new song "Fearless"". Revolver . 5 June 2025.
  19. "President announces (and sells out) Inaugural Headlining Rally all within 48 hours". Melodic Magazine. 21 May 2025.
  20. Schaffner, Lauryn (21 May 2025). "Masked Mystery Band President Announce First-Ever Headlining Show". Loudwire .
  21. "Watch the video for President's new single, Fearless". Kerrang! . 6 June 2025.
  22. Alderslade, Merlin (16 June 2025). "Watch latest masked metal sensations President play their first ever show at Download this past weekend". Louder Sound .
  23. Childers, Chad (16 June 2025). "Setlist + Video - Masked Mystery Band President Play First-Ever Show at Download 2025". Loudwire .
  24. Garner, Emily (15 June 2025). "What happened when President played Download Festival 2025". Kerrang!. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  25. Childers, Chad ChildersChad (30 June 2025). "Mystery Band President Book First-Ever Tour, Opening for Big Metalcore Band". Loudwire .
  26. Howell, Maddy (18 July 2025). "President Announce Debut EP 'King Of Terrors'".
  27. "Hear President deliver heart-stirring heaviness on new song "Destroy Me"". Revolver. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  28. Garner, Emily (8 September 2025). "President announce first-ever festival headline slot at Takedown 2026". Kerrang!. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  29. 1 2 Morton, Luke (17 September 2025). "President: "I've sat with these feelings for a long f*cking time… Writing these songs takes a lot out of me"". Kerrang!. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  30. Garner, Emily (24 September 2025). "Slam Dunk reveal Good Charlotte, Sublime, President and loads more in first 2026 announcement". Kerrang!. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  31. "Nova Rock 2026: Massive Lineup Drop Featuring Iron Maiden, Ice Nine Kills & More!". Impericon Magazine. Impericon. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  32. Sophie, Anna (24 September 2025). "Rock For People 2026: First Wave of Bands, Headliners & Special Day Announcement". Impericon Magazine. Impericon. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  33. "Twisted Sister Confirmed As Third Headliner For Copenhell 2026; Sepultura, Queensrÿche, Six Feet Under And More Added To Bill". BraveWords. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  34. Shah, Rishi (31 July 2025). "President live in London Garage review". NME. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  35. 1 2 3 Garner, Emily (18 September 2025). "President respond to 'industry plant' comments: 'It couldn't be more DIY if it tried'". Kerrang!. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  36. "President Release Dark and Powerful Debut EP 'King of Terrors', Set for Australian Tour with Architects". Noise11. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  37. "Dionysus (Visualizer)". YouTube. President. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  38. "Conclave (Visualizer)". YouTube. President. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  39. McNamara, Lauren (1 October 2025). "President Announce One-Off Australian Show". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  40. "Fans React to President Singer Revealing his Identity in new Music Video". Sinusoidal Music. 11 June 2025.
  41. 1 2 "President announce debut EP 'King of Terrors' with synth-heavy new song "Rage"". Revolver . 17 July 2025.
  42. "Masked Mystery Band President Announces Debut EP 'King Of Terrors' And Drops New Single 'Rage'". Metal Addicts. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  43. Hobson, Rich (18 August 2025). ""I started crying when I came off-stage. It ****ing broke me!" An audience with President, metal's newest mysterious masked sensation". Metal Hammer . Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  44. Bowler, Derek; Badilini, Sara (21 July 2025). "Who's behind the presidential veil". Spotlight. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  45. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  46. 1 2 3 4 "President". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 September 2025.