Photo: WENN
No Devotion are the band who were never supposed to happen - but have absolutely every right to. After the horrific end of Lostprophets, the remaining members had a legacy and image totally destroyed, leaving them and their fans questioning if they'd ever have a career in music again.
Luckily, Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Jamie Oliver and Stuart Richardson managed to recruit Thursday singer Geoff Rickly and pick themselves up, making a record that is nothing like anything in which they have been involved before. Although it's far from a work of art, Permanence sent the message that this band are not willing to be written off just yet.
On the live platform, their lo-fi melodic rock songs come to life, and from the very beginning of their short set in London, it's obvious that they are at their best on stage. No Devotion clearly don't want to be - and shouldn't be categorised as - either a supergroup or a rebirth; they are an entity that can stand on their own feet without gimmicky titles.
Although missing Lewis tonight, having been in bands together for almost 20 years, watching the chemistry between Gaze on lead guitar and Richardson playing bass is a sight to behold. They know each other's next move before they do themselves. Tucked away at the back, Oliver doesn't let you forget about him. His distinctive vocals and playing style on the keyboard make him one of the most unappreciated musicians in the scene.
With Rickly (who's had no luck himself as of late) fronting the band, there's an added American showmanship to their their fine tuned palette. His voice is so unbelievably powerful that you appreciate hearing it in such an intimate setting when it has the strength to hold arena sized crowds.
The mini music videos behind them help add atmosphere and an extra layer to each song and the meaning behind it. Demolished houses are displayed during the band's most aggressive moments whilst lyrics are on show when they are at their most emotional.
The emo-tinged '10,000 Summers' and 'Sunlight' have soundscaping comparisons to The Xcerts and the poppier side of My Chemical Romance. The band also show that, lyrically, they aren't afraid to embrace the 'heart on their sleeve' mentality.
One thing that the band are currently lacking is a bonafide hit that will help them move on to their previous heights of success. They are clearly very capable of it and 'Stay' is the closest thing they have to a solid alternative singalong. As you see the joy on the band's faces when they blast through the track, the raw and overwhelming song is possibly the defining piece of this chapter in their careers.
As they end on 'Grand Central', No Devotion have completely stripped their former identities down and - whilst on record there is still a lot to be desired - in the flesh, when every move is being watched in a mix of intrigue and awe, No Devotion show why they completely deserve this, and much much more in the future.
