Material: New Language are determined to be the next big name in modern rock. Instrumentally, their work is reminiscent of classic AC/DC and old-school Three Days Grace, with slight emo/punk characteristics a la Pierce The Veil, Underoath and Thrice. The band's repertoire of power anthems are perfect for large venues, especially their infectiously headbang-worthy single “Give In.”
Musicianship: New Language showcase a chaotic harmony in a way that modernizes familiar sounds. Vocally, lead singer Tyler Demorest projects a gritty, angst-riddled clout similar to Sixx: A.M.’s James Michael or Bring Me The Horizon’s Oliver Sykes, while his compelling frontman persona can be compared to Thirty Seconds to Mars’ Jared Leto and Muse’s Matt Ballamy. With bassist/backup vocalist Matt Cohen acting as right-hand man, the pair exhibits a strong dynamic.
Performance: Right from their opener, “Frantic Believer,” New Language came to rock the faces off of whoever was in the audience. Luckily, the attendees gave their undivided attention throughout the band’s high powered set thanks to spot-on harmonizing, expert crowd panning and infectious camaraderie that made it hard to take your eyes off of them. The band also made their voices and instruments echo like a fully produced record, actually surpassing the sonics of their recorded work.
Looking at the band, you would never think their sound would be hard punk, post-hardcore style music. Demorest’s pronounced vocals fluidly staggered between angel and devil, and Cohen’s haunting bass tones and complementary vocals added a connective layer. I wish their set was a bit longer so they had time to include slower tracks to showcase their versatility.
Summary: When I heard New Language would be on this year’s Van’s Warped Tour, I honestly wasn’t that surprised. They performed so much like they were on a rock festival stage that I felt the ground beneath me rumble from the energy they generated. After all, they have already opened up for acts such as Queens of the Stone Age and The Used. The band’s ability to bring the hard-hitting power of their recordings to the live stage demonstrates their special drive to have a long, sustained career.
Contact: [email protected]
Web: newlanguageband.com
Players: Tyler Demorest, guitar and lead vocals; Matt Cohen, bass and backing vocals; Dylan Howard, drums; Joshua Snow, guitar
