Following the release of their debut EP, King Of Terrors, PRESIDENT return with Blood Of Your Empire, a full-length record that builds on the foundations of their earlier work while taking the project in a more experimental direction. The result is a strong and enjoyable album that showcases a band willing to explore different musical territories, even if not every experiment hits the mark.

One of the most noticeable developments is the increased emphasis on electronic elements, alongside a greater contrast between individual songs. Whereas King Of Terrors leaned towards a darker, doomier atmosphere, Blood Of Your Empire moves between crushing metal, electronic pop influences and more vulnerable, melodic passages. It feels like a natural next step for PRESIDENT, rather than a simple extension of their debut EP.

The heavier side of the project remains very much intact. Dark Heaven is an absolute banger, driven by crisp, heavy guitar riffs that give the track plenty of bite. It is precisely the sort of song that demonstrates how effective PRESIDENT can be when they lean into their more aggressive sound. Doom Loop follows a similar path, delivering another dose of proper metal that provides a welcome counterbalance to the album's cleaner, more electronic moments.

However, PRESIDENT are clearly interested in doing more than repeating a successful formula. Hate Figure is a particularly good example of that willingness to experiment. Ando San's guest appearance, with its hip-hop influence, initially left me unconvinced. Yet the song has grown on me considerably, particularly thanks to its chorus, where PRESIDENT's brutal screams bring an intensity that is difficult to ignore.

The lyrics are equally important here. The line "It's been 21 years, are we in reprise?" is a particularly striking moment, hinting at the personal experiences behind the music. Rather than simply adding another layer of aggression, the lyrics give the song an emotional weight that makes the chorus all the more effective. It is also a good example of how PRESIDENT can combine musical experimentation with a more personal form of expression without losing the impact of their heavier sound.

That emotional side comes through even more clearly on This Will Divide Us. The track is a welcome change of pace, with a ballad-like approach that feels both personal and vulnerable. Its inclusion also illustrates just how much PRESIDENT's musical palette has expanded since King Of Terrors. This is not a song that would have fitted naturally on the debut EP, but it works well here, demonstrating that the project can deliver something meaningful without relying on sheer heaviness.

For me, this is where Blood Of Your Empire becomes particularly interesting. The lyrics matter just as much as the music, and when the two complement one another, the results are convincing. The more personal material gives the album a different dimension, suggesting that PRESIDENT's anonymity offers room to explore subjects that might otherwise be difficult to address so openly.

Not every experiment is equally successful, though. While I appreciate the contrast between PRESIDENT's harsh vocals and his cleaner delivery, I am less enthusiastic about his higher register. At times, the clean vocals sound almost too polished, with a perfection that can feel at odds with the rawness of his screams. The contrast has its place, but I find the rasp and aggression of his heavier vocals far more compelling.

Sleepwalker is the track that currently does the least for me. It leans too heavily towards pop, lacking the kick I associate with PRESIDENT's music. It is not necessarily a bad song, but it sits awkwardly within the album's broader direction and does little to convince me that this particular side of the project is where PRESIDENT are at their strongest. Pink Noise and White Devil have yet to make the same impression as my favourites, although the latter does at least provide the right ending. Closing the album with anything else would have felt less satisfying.

There is also the question of Dionysus. Although this version has been reworked, I am not particularly keen on seeing a song from the debut EP carried over to the full-length album. With so much new material to explore, I would rather have seen that space given to an entirely new track.

That brings me to one of my bigger frustrations with the release itself. Five songs had already been made available ahead of the album, several of which had been part of my playlist for months. While this gave listeners a good impression of what to expect, it also reduced the excitement of hearing the record as a complete work. The songs themselves remain enjoyable, but the overall impact would have been greater had fewer tracks been released in advance.

Ultimately, Blood Of Your Empire is a strong release that shows PRESIDENT developing rather than simply repeating what worked on King Of Terrors. The heavier tracks deliver, the more personal moments add depth, and the increased experimentation gives the album a broader identity. Some of the cleaner, pop-oriented material is less convincing, and the extensive pre-release campaign takes away a little of the magic. Still, there is plenty to enjoy here, and the album leaves me curious about where PRESIDENT will go next.

7.5/10