President have emerged over the previous yr as the most recent masked sensation, however throughout a current interview with Steel Hammer, the band’s chief Mr. President bristled when a comparability to Sleep Token was talked about.
It was early 2025 when the then unknown President have been introduced for final yr’s Obtain Competition, which Sleep Token have been co-headlining. An early teaser at their web site had followers rapidly connecting the dots to Sleep Token whereas attempting to guess the identification of the brand new group. This was due partially to followers monitoring down that that they had the identical administration and used the identical firm to create their web site. However whereas individuals have been guessing Sleep Token early on of their huge reveal, the group has since launched music, performed exhibits and followers have moved on to a different common concept in regards to the group member identities.
What Mr. President Stated About Comparisons to Sleep Token
In talking with Steel Hammer, President’s titular lead singer commented, ““What a fucking lazy comparability,” when the point out of Sleep Token got here up.
“I imply, sure, now we have the identical administration, and we each put on masks. These are each information… you bought me! It’s like, is that it?! That’s all you’ve bought? It’s hardly a brand new factor, is it, carrying masks?!”
Whereas Mr. President is true that there is a lengthy historical past of bands using masks (Slipknot, Ghost, GWAR, Mushroomhead and the record goes on), the recency of Sleep Token’s ascent and a musical fashion extra comparable than the aforementioned bands may very well be the place the affiliation was coming from.
The Timeline of President’s Ascent
It was February 2025 when President’s title mysteriously appeared on the Obtain Competition invoice for 2025. Coinciding with that announcement, an internet site, social media accounts and teasers have been launched hyping a Might 16 date a full month earlier than the band’s Obtain look.
That date was tied to the discharge of their first music, “Within the Title of the Father,” which rapidly garnered a number of dialogue on social media as individuals started attempting to determine who may be a part of the group.
Over the subsequent few months, the band would make their dwell debut at Obtain, drop a second single “Fearless” and slowly begin the construct as much as extra intensive touring and the discharge of their debut EP, King of Terrors.
READ MORE: The Largest Rock + Steel Tales of 2025 (In Case You Forgot)
Over time, we’d be taught what every of the members of the band name themselves and the way the lead singer’s masks was made and chosen.
However with each nice ascent, there may be the inevitable backlash. In December, Mr. President addressed the hypothesis that his band was an {industry} plant throughout a dialogue with Steel Hammer.
“While you blow up actually rapidly, it’s assumed you’re backed by an enormous company machine,” he mentioned. “Individuals discover it onerous to just accept that one thing can simply explode organically. But when one thing’s getting a number of consideration, you’re gonna draw equal measures of hate as you might be love. I’d reasonably individuals felt one thing than nothing in any respect.”
What’s Subsequent for President?
With the King of Terrors EP launched and all of the songs now heard within the dwell setting, touring is the first factor for the band as 2026 kicks off. They’ve began the yr enjoying exhibits with Architects and are catching slightly break earlier than beginning up their first prolonged U.S. touring on Feb. 22 in Salt Lake Metropolis. Their North American trek continues via March 27 in Oakland.
Spring dates will observe within the U.Ok. earlier than the band branches out to extra European festivals main into the summer season. All the band’s “rallies” (what they name their live shows) and ticketing data could be discovered via their web site.
As for brand spanking new music, Mr. President revealed to Steel Hammer that they’ve already began working towards a full album.
“I can’t wait to indicate everybody this album,” he shared. “It’s one thing I do know I’m going to be actually pleased with, and I believe my family and friends can be too, which is necessary to me.”
See which of President’s songs made our 13 Greatest Rock Songs of 2025 record under.
The 13 Greatest Rock Songs of 2025 (Ranked)
In a yr with hundreds of latest songs, we have ranked 2025’s Greatest Rock Songs of the yr.
See what number of of your favourite songs from this yr made the record!
Contributions by Chuck Armstrong (CA), Jordan Blum (JB), Rob Carroll (RC), Chad Childers (CC), Joe DiVita (JD), John Hill (JH) and Lauryn Schaffner (LS).
Gallery Credit score: Loudwire Workers
https://www.loudersound.com/information/president-face-industry-plant-allegations-2025
