President (band): Difference between revisions

Anonymous British metal band

President (stylised as PRESIDENT) are an anonymous British metal band formed in 2025.^[4] 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”.^[5]

The band’s lineup consists of President (vocals), Heist (guitarist), Protest (bassist) and Vice (drummer).^[4]

In an interview with Revolver, it was revealed that band began as a solo project and later expanded into a full band.^[5] 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,^[5][6] confusing fans as no details were released as to who the band was and they had released no music.^[7] Shortly afterward, the band created an Instagram page and started posting cryptic teasers.^[2]

In April 2025, they released a teaser for a new song,^[8][9] their debut single “In The Name of the Father“, released on 15 May 2025.^[10][11][12] The song was named “Tune of the Week” on BBC Radio 1 and they appeared on the cover of an issue of Rock Sound.^[13][14] 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.^[15][16][2] 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.^[17][18] A second single, “Fearless“, was released on 5 June 2025.^[16][19] The band debuted at Download Festival 2025 in June 2025.^[20][21] Their performance was praised by Kerrang! as an “absolute pandemonium from the off,” and was favorably received by the crowd.^[22] The band was later announced to open for Architects for several dates between December 2025 and January 2026.^[23]

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“.^[24] The band’s fourth single, “Destroy Me“, was released on September 4.^[25] 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 on 3–4 April 2026. The band is scheduled to headline on Saturday, April 4.^[26]

The band has been described as alternative metal^[1], heavy metal^[2][1], metalcore^[3] and hard rock.^[3] Revolver describes the band as “splic[ing] metal with elements of electronic music, particularly minimal house.”^[5] “In the Name of the Father” was the first song the artist wrote, about his anxiety and struggles with religion and God.^[27] Their third single “Rage” is described as a “swirling, synth-laden cut”, in contrast to the previous single’s guitar-based music.^[28] Lyrically, the song was inspired Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do not go gentle into that good night.”^[29]

President’s work often explores themes of religion, mortality, and existential fear.^[27] Their debut EP, King of Terrors, references the biblical figure associated with death, highlighting mortality as a central motif.^[28]

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.”^[5]

The band incorporates political campaign themes into its public image. 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.^[30]

• President – lead vocals (2025–present)
• Heist – guitars (2025–present)
• Protest – bass (2025–present)
• Vice – drums (2025–present)

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.^{[31][32][33][34]}