Editing Depeche Mode (section)

==History==
===Formation (1977–1980)===
[[File:Depeche-mode-martin-gore2.jpg|alt=Martin Gore in 1986|thumb|Martin Gore in 1986]]
Depeche Mode's origins date to 1977, when schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher formed a band called No Romance in China with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass. Fletcher would later recall, "Why am I in the band? It was accidental right from the beginning. I was actually forced to be in the band. I played the guitar and I had a bass; it was a question of them roping me in."<ref name="P93">{{cite magazine|first= Marc |last= Weidenbaum |title= Fashion Victims |magazine= Pulse! magazine |issue= 114 |date= May 1993 |pages= 48–53}}</ref> In 1979, Clarke played guitar in an [[Ultravox]]-influenced band, the Plan, with friends [[Robert Marlow]] and Paul Langwith.<ref>{{cite web|title= Interviews – "Robert Marlow Interview (1999)" |website= Erasureinfo.com |url= http://www.erasureinfo.com/features/interviews_03.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023130210/http://www.erasureinfo.com/features/interviews_03.html |archive-date= 23 October 2012}}</ref> In 1978–1979, [[Martin Gore]] played guitar in an acoustic duo, Norman and the Worms, with school friend Phil Burdett on vocals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-11 |title=Phil Burdett – Biography |url=http://www.philburdett.com/fr_biography.cfm |access-date=2023-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111034422/http://www.philburdett.com/fr_biography.cfm |archive-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2021}} In 1980, Clarke and Fletcher formed a band called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals/guitar and Fletcher on bass; the pair were soon joined by Gore as a third instrumentalist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trimaximalist |date=2022-03-12 |title=Depeche Mode - |url=https://jazzrocksoul.com/artists/depeche-mode/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> Dave Gahan joined the ensemble later in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local [[Scout hall|Scout hut]] [[jam session]], singing a rendition of [[David Bowie]]'s "[["Heroes" (David Bowie song)|{{-'}}Heroes{{'-}}]]".<ref name="D93">{{cite magazine|first= William |last= Shaw |title= In The Mode |magazine= [[Details (magazine)|Details]] |date= April 1993 |pages= 90–95, 168}}</ref>

With the advent of affordable synthesisers and the increasing popularity of electronic music, the group began pursuing a [[synth-pop]] direction.<ref>{{cite news|first= Ed |last= Masley |title= 10/8: Depeche Mode interview: 'Delta Machine' |newspaper= [[The Arizona Republic]] |date= 4 October 2013 |access-date= 11 March 2021 |url= http://archive.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/20131006depeche-mode-interview-delta-machine-fletcher.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 28 July 2020 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20200728000215/http://archive.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/20131006depeche-mode-interview-delta-machine-fletcher.html}}</ref> The first live concert of Composition of Sound as a four-piece was on 14 June 1980 at Nicholas School, Basildon, England, UK.<ref>{{cite web|title= 1980-06-14 Nicholas School, Basildon, England, UK |access-date= 10 October 2022 |url= https://dmlive.wiki/wiki/1980-06-14_Nicholas_School,_Basildon,_England,_UK}}</ref> There is a plaque commemorating the gig at the [[James Hornsby School]] in Basildon, where Gore and Fletcher were pupils. Gahan's and Gore's favourite artists included [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]], [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Collect-a-Page (Dave Gahan's questionnaire) |magazine= Look In |date= 5 December 1981 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/lkn051281/page1.htm |archive-date= 27 November 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081127211058/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/lkn051281/page1.htm}}</ref> [[Cabaret Voltaire (band)|Cabaret Voltaire]], [[Talking Heads]] and [[Iggy Pop]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Collect-a-Page (Martin Gore's questionnaire) |magazine= Look In |date= 12 December 1981 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/lkn121281/page1.htm |archive-date= 27 November 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081127211401/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/lkn121281/page1.htm}}</ref> Gahan's onstage persona was influenced by [[Dave Vanian]], frontman of [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]].<ref>{{cite web|first= Ryan |last= Painter |title= 'The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead' |publisher= [[KUTV]] |date= 28 May 2016 |access-date= 29 July 2019 |url= https://kutv.com/news/entertainment/the-damned-dont-you-wish-we-were-dead}}</ref> Gahan has also later credited David Bowie, [[James Brown]], [[Elvis Presley]] and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] as influences on his performance style.<ref>{{cite news|title= Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode: 'Regret is a weird word. I don't look back on my life like that' |newspaper= The Guardian |date= 21 October 2021 |access-date= 27 February 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/21/dave-gahan-regret-is-a-weird-word-i-dont-look-back-on-my-life-like-that}}</ref>

Composition of Sound would become embarrassed about their band name and started thinking of changing it. There were several potential variants, including the name "Musical Moments" that was suggested by Vince Clarke as both a band name and the name of their first album. Starting at their concert on 24 September 1980 at Bridge House, the band changed their name to Depeche Mode, chosen by Dave Gahan.<ref>{{cite web|title= 1980-09-24 Bridge House, London, England, UK |access-date= 10 October 2022 |url= https://dmlive.wiki/wiki/1980-09-24_Bridge_House,_London,_England,_UK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desborough |first=Jenny |date=2021-03-26 |title=Depeche Mode name: What does Depeche Mode mean? |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1414172/Depeche-Mode-name-what-does-Depeche-Mode-mean-how-evg |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> When explaining the choice for the new name, which was taken from a mistranslation of the name of French fashion magazine ''Dépêche Mode'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Excelsior Publications suspend Dépêche mode |magazine= Stratégies |date= 8 November 2001 |access-date= 1 May 2017 |url= http://www.strategies.fr/actualites/medias/r67272W/excelsior-suspend-la-parution-de-depeche-mode.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081210205852/http://www.strategies.fr/actualites/medias/r67272W/excelsior-suspend-la-parution-de-depeche-mode.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 10 December 2008 |language= fr }}</ref> Gore said, "It means 'hurried fashion' or 'fashion dispatch'. I like the sound of that."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Max |last= Bell |title= Part 2 : Martin Gore – The Decadent Boy |magazine= No1 Magazine |date= 11 May 1985 |access-date= 29 October 2007 |url= http://www.tuug.org/~jaakko/dm/dmtekstit/privatemg.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070313232933/http://www.tuug.org/~jaakko/dm/dmtekstit/privatemg.html |archive-date= 13 March 2007}}</ref> However, the more accurate translation of the magazine's name (and therefore the band's name) is "Fashion News" or "Fashion Update".{{efn|''Dépêche'' meaning "dispatch" or "news report" from [[Old French]] ''despesche/despeche'', and ''mode'' meaning "fashion".<ref name="nametranslate"/>}}

===''Speak & Spell'' and Clarke's departure (1980–1981)===
{{See also|Speak & Spell (album)}}
[[File:Depeche Mode 1981.jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 1981]]

The band made their recording debut in late 1980 for the ''[[Some Bizzare Album]]'' (released in 1981) with the song "Photographic", later re-recorded for their debut album ''[[Speak & Spell (album)|Speak & Spell]]''.

The band made a [[Demo (music)|demo tape]] but, instead of mailing the tape to record labels, they would go in and personally deliver it. They would demand the labels play it; according to Dave Gahan, "most of them would tell us to fuck off. They'd say 'leave the tape with us' and we'd say 'it's our only one'. Then we'd say goodbye and go somewhere else."<ref name="Giles">{{cite magazine|first= Jeff |last= Giles |title= This band wants your respect – Depeche Mode may sell millions of albums and play to capacity crowds in huge football stadiums but these techno-pop idols still aren't happy |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |via= TipTopWebsite.com |pages= 84–87 |date= 26 July 1990 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=depechemodefile&page=20}}</ref>

According to Gahan, prior to securing their record contract, they were receiving offers from all the major labels. [[Phonogram Inc.|Phonogram]] offered them "money you could never have imagined and all sorts of crazy things like clothes allowances".<ref name="Giles"/>

While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in [[Canning Town]],<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Paul |last= Tickell |title= A Year in the Life of Depeche Mode |magazine= [[The Face (magazine)|The Face]] |date= January 1982 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/fac010182/fac010182main.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110808174432/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/fac010182/fac010182main.htm |archive-date= 8 August 2011}}</ref> the band was approached by Daniel Miller, an [[electronic music|electronic]] [[record producer|producer]] and founder of [[Mute Records]], who was interested in their recording a single for his burgeoning label.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Betty |last= Paige |title= This Year's Mode(L) |magazine= [[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]] |date= 31 January 1981 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/sou310181/sou310181maina.htm |archive-date= 24 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724052454/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/sou310181/sou310181maina.htm}}</ref> The result of this verbal contract was their first single, "[[Dreaming of Me]]", recorded in December 1980 and released in February 1981. It reached number 57 in the UK charts. Encouraged by this, the band recorded their second single, "[[New Life (song)|New Life]]", which climbed to number 11 in the UK charts and got them an appearance on ''[[Top of the Pops]]''. The band went to London by train, carrying their synthesisers all the way to the [[BBC]] studios.

The band's next single was "[[Just Can't Get Enough (Depeche Mode song)|Just Can't Get Enough]]". The [[synth-pop]] single became the band's first UK top ten hit. The video is the only one to feature Vince Clarke. Depeche Mode's debut album, ''[[Speak & Spell (album)|Speak & Spell]]'', was released in October 1981 and peaked at number ten on the UK album charts.<ref name="OCC"/> Critical reviews were mixed; ''[[Melody Maker]]'' described it as a "great album … one they had to make to conquer fresh audiences and please the fans who just can't get enough",<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Paul |last= Colbert |title= Talking Hook Lines |date= 31 October 1981 |magazine= [[Melody Maker]] |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/mel311081/mel311081main.htm |archive-date= 24 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724052535/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/mel311081/mel311081main.htm}}</ref> while ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' was more critical, calling the album "[[Motion picture content rating system|PG]]-rated fluff".<ref>{{cite magazine |first= David |last= Fricke |author-link= David Fricke |title= Speak & Spell – Depeche Mode |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= 13 May 1982 |access-date= 4 May 2011 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-spell-19820513 |archive-date= 13 October 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111013214138/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speak-spell-19820513 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Clarke began to voice his discomfort at the direction the band was taking, saying "there was never enough time to do anything. Not with all the interviews and photo sessions".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Mark |last= Ellen |title= A Clean Break |date= February 1982 |magazine= [[Smash Hits]] |url= http://www.tuug.utu.fi/~jaakko/dm/smash4.txt |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140204023346/http://www.tuug.utu.fi/~jaakko/dm/smash4.txt |archive-date= 4 February 2014}}</ref> Clarke also said he was sick of touring, which Gahan said years later was "bullshit to be quite honest".<ref name="Giles"/> Gahan went on to say he "suddenly lost interest in it and he started getting letters from fans asking what kind of socks he wore."<ref name="Giles"/> In November 1981, Clarke publicly announced that he was leaving Depeche Mode.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=103}}

Soon afterwards, Clarke joined up with blues singer [[Alison Moyet]] to form [[Yazoo (band)|Yazoo]] (or Yaz in the United States). Initial talk of Clarke's continuing to write material for Depeche Mode ultimately amounted to nothing. According to third-party sources, Clarke offered the remaining members of Depeche Mode the track "[[Only You (Yazoo song)|Only You]]", but they declined.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=107}} Clarke, however, denied in an interview that such an offer ever took place saying, "I don't know where that came from. That's not true."<ref>{{cite magazine |first1= Stefan |last1= Reinke |first2= Kerstin |last2= Goh |title= Erasure im Soundcheck |newspaper= [[Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung]] |date= 16 November 2011 |access-date= 19 October 2013 |url= https://www.derwesten.de/kultur/musik/erasure-im-soundcheck-id6079325.html?doply=true |language= de |archive-date= 29 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200729230124/https://www.derwesten.de/kultur/musik/erasure-im-soundcheck-id6079325.html?doply=true |url-status= dead }}</ref> The song went on to become a UK Top 3 hit for Yazoo. Gore, who had written "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and the instrumental "Big Muff" for ''Speak & Spell'', became the band's main composer and lyricist.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=125}}

===''A Broken Frame'' and Wilder joining (1981–1982)===
{{See also|A Broken Frame}}
[[File:Depeche Mode 1982.jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 1982]]

In late 1981, the band placed an anonymous ad in ''Melody Maker'' looking for another musician: "Name band, synthesise, must be under twenty-one."<ref name="D93"/> [[Alan Wilder]], a classically trained keyboardist from West London, responded and, after two auditions and despite being 22 years old, was hired in early 1982, initially on a trial basis as a touring member.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=121}} Wilder would later be called the "Musical Director" of the band, responsible for the band's sound until his departure in 1995.<ref name="P93"/> As producer [[Flood (music producer)|Flood]] would say, "[Alan] is sort of the craftsman, Martin's the idea man and [Dave] is the attitude."<ref name="P93"/>

In January 1982, the band released "[[See You (Depeche Mode song)|See You]]", their first single without Clarke, which managed to beat all three Clarke-penned singles in the UK charts, reaching number six.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=113}} The following tour saw the band playing their first shows in North America. Two more singles, "[[The Meaning of Love]]" and "[[Leave in Silence]]", were released ahead of the band's second studio album, on which they began work in July 1982. Daniel Miller informed Wilder that he wasn't needed for the recording of the album, as the core trio wanted to prove they could succeed without Vince Clarke.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=134}} ''[[A Broken Frame]]'' was released that September, and the following month the band began their 1982 tour.

===''Construction Time Again'' (1983)===
{{See also|Construction Time Again}}
[[File:Depeche Mode 1983.jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 1983]]
A non-album single, "[[Get the Balance Right!]]", was released in January 1983, the first Depeche Mode track to be recorded with Wilder, now an official member of the band.{{sfn|Malins|2001|p=58}} For their third album, ''[[Construction Time Again]]'', Depeche Mode worked with producer [[Gareth Jones (music producer)|Gareth Jones]], at [[John Foxx]]'s Garden Studios and at [[Hansa Tonstudio|Hansa Studios]] in West Berlin (where much of [[David Bowie]]'s seminal [[Berlin Trilogy]] featuring [[Brian Eno]] had been produced). The album saw a dramatic shift in the group's sound, due in part to Wilder's introduction of the [[Synclavier]] and [[E-mu Emulator]] [[Sampler (musical instrument)|samplers]].<ref>{{cite web |title= The Singles 81–85 |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 14 May 2016 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8185/spring2_99.htm |archive-date= 3 December 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203042513/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8185/spring2_99.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> By sampling the noises of everyday objects, the band created an eclectic, [[Industrial music|industrial]]-influenced sound, with similarities to groups such as the [[Art of Noise]] and [[Einstürzende Neubauten]] (the latter becoming Mute labelmates in 1983).<ref>{{cite web|author= Benne |title= Inga Humpe – Mit Depeche Mode in einer 2raumwohnung |date= 3 May 2005 |work= MUNA |url= http://www.muna.de/Single.853.0.html?&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=84&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=854&cHash=c5c23fb615 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091029130845/http://www.muna.de/Single.853.0.html?&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=84&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=854&cHash=c5c23fb615 |archive-date= 29 October 2009 |language= de}}</ref>

"[[Everything Counts]]" rose to number six in the UK, also reaching the top 30 in Ireland, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden and West Germany.<ref name="OCC"/> Wilder contributed two songs to the album, "The Landscape Is Changing" and "Two Minute Warning". In September 1983, to promote ''Construction Time Again'', the band launched a European concert tour.

===''Some Great Reward'' (1984)===
{{See also|People Are People (album)|Some Great Reward}}
[[File:Depeche Mode 1984.jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 1984]]
In their early years, Depeche Mode had really attained success only in Europe and Australia. This changed in March 1984, when they released the single "[[People Are People]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Richard |last= Buskin |title= Classic Tracks: Depeche Mode 'People Are People' |magazine= [[Sound on Sound]] |date= February 2007 |access-date= 6 July 2020 |url= https://www.soundonsound.com/people/classic-tracks-depeche-mode-people-are-people}}</ref> The song became a hit, reaching No. 2 in Ireland and Poland, No. 4 in the UK and Switzerland, and No. 1 in West Germany – the first time a DM single topped a country's singles chart – where it was used as the theme to West German TV's coverage of the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympics]].{{sfn|Malins|2001|p=82}} Beyond this European success, the song also reached No. 13 on the US charts in mid-1985, the first appearance of a DM single on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], and was a Top 20 hit in Canada. "People Are People" became an anthem for the LGBT community,<ref>{{cite web|first= B. |last= Voss |title= Masters of 'The Universe' |magazine= [[David Atlanta]] |date= 6 May 2009 |access-date= 10 January 2012 |url= http://www.davidatlanta.com/2009/5-6/cover/coverstory/2686.cfm |archive-date= 9 June 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090609225243/http://www.davidatlanta.com/2009/5-6/cover/coverstory/2686.cfm}}</ref> regularly played at gay establishments and [[gay pride]] festivals in the late 1980s. [[Sire Records|Sire]], the band's North American record label, released a compilation of [[People Are People (album)|the same name]] which included tracks from ''A Broken Frame'' and ''Construction Time Again'' as well as several [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]].

On the American tour, the band was, according to Gore, "shocked by the way the fans were turning up in droves at the concerts".<ref name="Giles"/> He said that although the concerts were selling well, Depeche Mode struggled to sell records.<ref name="Giles"/>

In September 1984, ''[[Some Great Reward]]'' was released. ''Melody Maker'' claimed that the album made one "sit up and take notice of what is happening here, right under your nose."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Barry |last= McIlheney |title= Greatness and Perfection |magazine= Melody Maker |date= 29 September 1984 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/mel290984/mel290984main.htm |archive-date= 4 January 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090104140145/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/mel290984/mel290984main.htm}}</ref> In contrast to the political and environmental subjects addressed on the previous album, the songs on ''Some Great Reward'' were mostly concerned with more personal themes such as sexual politics ("[[Master and Servant]]"), adulterous relationships ("Lie to Me"), and arbitrary divine justice ("[[Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody|Blasphemous Rumours]]"). Also included was the first Martin Gore ballad, "[[Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody|Somebody]]"—such songs would become a feature of all following albums.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} "Somebody" was released as a double A-side with "Blasphemous Rumours", and was the first single with Gore on lead vocal. ''Some Great Reward'' became the first Depeche Mode album to enter the US album charts, and made the Top 10 in several European countries.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

''[[The World We Live In and Live in Hamburg]]'' was the band's first video release, almost an entire concert from their 1984 Some Great Reward Tour.

===''Black Celebration'' (1985–1986)===
[[File:Depeche Mode 1985.jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 1985]]
{{See also|The Singles 81→85|Catching Up with Depeche Mode|Black Celebration}}
In July 1985, the band played their first-ever concerts behind the [[Iron Curtain]], in [[Budapest]] and [[Warsaw]].{{sfn|Malins|2001|p=95}} In October 1985, Mute released a compilation, ''[[The Singles 81→85]]'' (''[[Catching Up with Depeche Mode]]'' in the US), which included the two new non-album hit singles "[[Shake the Disease]]" and "[[It's Called a Heart]]", with the US version also including their B-sides ("Fly on the Windscreen", the B-side of "It's Called a Heart", would also be included on the next studio album ''[[Black Celebration]]'').

In the United States, the band's music appealed primarily to an [[Alternative rock|alternative]] audience who were disenchanted with the predominance of "soft rock and 'disco hell'"<ref>{{cite web |title= Alan Wilder's history – Historical evidence Part 1 |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 19 October 2010 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/afiles/hist/athree.htm |archive-date= 5 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210805183304/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/afiles/hist/athree.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> on the radio. This view of the band was in sharp contrast to how the band was perceived in Europe, despite the increasingly dark and serious tone in their songs.<ref>{{cite news|first= Francesco |last= Adinolfi |title= Dep Jam |newspaper= [[Record Mirror]] |date= 22 August 1987 |url= http://sacreddm.net/1980s/rmi220887/rmi220887main.htm |archive-date= 26 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110826141059/http://sacreddm.net/1980s/rmi220887/rmi220887main.htm}}</ref> In Germany, France, and other European countries, Depeche Mode were considered teen idols and regularly featured in European teen magazines, becoming one of the most famous synth-pop bands in the mid-'80s.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Depeche Mode's musical style shifted slightly again in 1986 with the release of their fifteenth single, "[[Stripped (song)|Stripped]]", and its accompanying album ''[[Black Celebration]]''. Retaining their often imaginative sampling and beginning to move away from the "industrial pop" sound that had characterised their previous two LPs, the band introduced an ominous, highly atmospheric and textured sound. Gore's lyrics also took on a darker tone and became more pessimistic.

The music video for "[[A Question of Time]]" was the first to be directed by [[Anton Corbijn]], beginning a working relationship that continues to the present. Corbijn has directed 22 of the band's videos. He has also filmed some of their live performances and designed stage sets, as well as most covers for albums and singles starting from ''Violator''.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===''Music for the Masses'' (1987–1989)===
{{See also|Music for the Masses|101 (album)}}
For 1987's ''[[Music for the Masses]]'', the band's sound and working methods continued to develop. It was the first time they worked with a producer not related to Mute Records. Dave Bascombe was called to assist with the recording sessions; although, according to Alan Wilder, Bascombe's role ended up being more that of engineer.<ref name="Shunt">{{cite web |title= Music for the Masses – Depeche Mode |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 16 October 2010 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/mftm1.htm |archive-date= 11 August 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220811203305/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/mftm1.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> In making the album, the band largely eschewed [[Sampling (music)|sampling]] in favour of [[synthesiser]] experimentation.<ref>{{cite web |title= Music for the Masses – Depeche Mode |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 16 October 2010 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/mftm2.htm |archive-date= 24 September 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210924165134/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/mftm2.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> While chart performance of the singles "[[Strangelove (song)|Strangelove]]", "[[Never Let Me Down Again]]" and "[[Behind the Wheel]]" proved to be disappointing in the UK, they performed well in countries such as Canada, Brazil, West Germany, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland, often reaching the top 10. ''[[Record Mirror]]'' described ''Music for the Masses'' as "the most accomplished and sexy Mode album to date".<ref>{{cite news|first= Eleanor |last= Levy |title= Depeche Mode 'Music for the Masses' (Mute STUMM 47) |newspaper= [[Record Mirror]] |date= 3 October 1987 |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/rmi031087/rmi031087main.htm |archive-date= 26 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110826141031/http://www.sacreddm.net/1980s/rmi031087/rmi031087main.htm}}</ref> The album also reached No. 35 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Billboard 200 |magazine= Billboard |date= 21 November 1987 |access-date= 28 August 2020 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1987-11-21}}</ref>

The Music for the Masses Tour began 22 October 1987. On 7 March 1988, with no previous announcement that they would be the headlining act, Depeche Mode played in the [[Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle]], East Berlin,<ref>{{cite news|first1= Nadja |last1= Erb |first2= Steven |last2= Geyer |title= Wir wären besser nicht aufgetreten |newspaper= [[Frankfurter Rundschau]] |date= 27 October 2009 |access-date= 21 October 2010 |url= http://www.fr-online.de/panorama/andy-fletcher-im-interview--wir-waeren-besser-nicht-aufgetreten-,1472782,3213288.html |language= de}}</ref> becoming one of the few Western groups to perform in [[East Germany]]. They also performed concerts in Budapest and Prague in 1988.<ref>{{cite web|first= Michal |last= Horáček |title= Černá revoluce : Praha 1988 (díl 4.) |website= Depeche.cz |date= 11 March 1988 |access-date= 6 February 2013 |url= http://depeche.cz/web/novinky/cerna-revoluce-praha-1988-dil-4}}</ref> 

The world tour ended on 18 June 1988 with a concert at the [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]. Paid attendance of 60,453{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=265|ps=: Jonathan Kessler quoted in the [[101 (album)|101 film]]. "$1,360,192.50. Paid attendance was 60,453 people, tonight at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, 18 June 1988. We're getting a load of money. A lot of money; a load of money – ''tons'' of money!"}} was the highest in eight years for the venue.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} Its massive success{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} marked a breakthrough for the band in the United States.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}. The event was documented in ''[[101 (album)|101]]'', a concert film by [[D. A. Pennebaker]] and its accompanying soundtrack album. The film is notable for its portrayal of fan interaction.<ref>{{cite web |first= Víctor R. |last= Villar |title= Especial Depeche Mode: 101 |work= Hipersónica |date= 1 April 2009 |access-date= 22 July 2010 |url= http://www.hipersonica.com/2009/04/especial-depeche-mode-101/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 6 November 2014 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20141106002936/http://www.hipersonica.com/2009/04/especial-depeche-mode-101/ |language= es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= The Beginning of Depeche Mode's History |website= Pimpfdm.com |access-date= 22 July 2010 |url= http://www.pimpfdm.com/History.html}}</ref> Alan Wilder came up with the title, noting that it was the 101st and final performance of the tour.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} On 7 September 1988, Depeche Mode performed "Strangelove" at the [[1988 MTV Video Music Awards]] at the [[Universal Amphitheatre]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |title= MTV Video Music Awards – Performers |publisher= [[MTV]] |access-date= 4 December 2011 |url= http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/archive/performers.jhtml |archive-date= 4 August 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130804065222/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/archive/performers.jhtml |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===''Violator'' (1989–1990)===
{{See also|Violator (album)}}
In mid-1989, the band began recording in [[Milan]] with producer [[Flood (music producer)|Flood]] and engineer [[François Kevorkian]]. The initial result of this session was the single "[[Personal Jesus]]". Prior to its release, a marketing campaign was launched with advertisements placed in the [[Personal advertisement|personals columns]] of UK regional newspapers with the words "Your own personal Jesus." Later, the ads included a phone number one could dial to hear the song. The resulting furore helped propel the single to number 13 on the UK charts, becoming one of their biggest sellers to date. In the United States, it was their first gold single and their first Top 40 hit since "People Are People", eventually becoming the biggest-selling 12-inch single in [[Warner Records]]' history up to that point.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=291}}

{{Quote box
|quote  = "I think in a way we've been at the forefront of new music; sort of chipping away at the standard rock format stations."
|source = Martin Gore, stated to ''[[NME]]'' – July 1990.{{sfn|Tobler|1992|p=472}}
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Released in February 1990, "[[Enjoy the Silence]]" reached number six in the UK (the first Top 10 hit in that country since "Master And Servant"). A few months later it reached number eight in the US and earned the band a second gold record, and it won Best British Single at the 1991 [[Brit Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title= The BRITs 1991 |website= Brits.co.uk |access-date= 14 October 2010 |url= http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1991 |archive-date= 13 January 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120113123508/http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1991 |url-status= dead }}</ref> To promote their new album, ''[[Violator (album)|Violator]]'', the band held an in-store autograph signing at Wherehouse Entertainment in Los Angeles. The event attracted approximately 20,000 fans and turned into a near riot. Some attendees were injured while being pressed against the store's glass by the crowd.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Stacey |last= Sanner |title= Depeche has faith in new 'Songs' |magazine= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date= 21 March 1993 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= https://variety.com/1993/music/news/depeche-has-faith-in-new-songs-105172/}}</ref> As an apology to those injured, the band released a limited edition cassette tape to fans in Los Angeles, distributed through radio station [[KROQ-FM|KROQ]] (the sponsor of the Wherehouse event).

''Violator'' was the first Depeche Mode album to enter the Top 10 of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], reaching Number 7 and staying 74 weeks in the chart. It was [[Recording Industry Association of America|certified]] triple platinum in America.<ref>{{cite web|title= Gold & Platinum – Depeche Mode – Violator |publisher= [[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date= 14 May 2016 |url= https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=depeche+mode&ti=violator}}</ref> Two more singles from the album—"[[Policy of Truth]]" and "[[World in My Eyes]]"—were hits in the UK, with the former also charting in the US.
{{Quote box
|quote  = "I remember going to see them in Giants Stadium, and they broke the merchandising record; of [[Bon Jovi]], [[U2]]—all these bands—Depeche Mode were the biggest!"
|source = [[Flood (music producer)|Flood]], on [[Giants Stadium]] concert.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=299}}
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The [[World Violation Tour]] saw the band play several stadium shows in the US. 42,000 tickets were sold within four hours for a show at Giants Stadium, and 48,000 tickets were sold within half-an-hour of going on sale for a show at [[Dodger Stadium]].{{sfn|Miller|2004|pp=299–300}} An estimated 1.2 million fans saw this tour worldwide.<ref name="P93"/>

===''Songs of Faith and Devotion'' and Wilder's departure (1991–1995)===
{{See also|Songs of Faith and Devotion|Songs of Faith and Devotion Live}}
[[File:Alan Wilder at Szikra 2010 048.jpg|alt=Alan Wilder|thumb|Alan Wilder in 2010]]
In 1991, Depeche Mode contribution "Death's Door" was released on [[Until the End of the World (soundtrack)|the soundtrack album]] for the film ''[[Until the End of the World]]''. Film director Wim Wenders had challenged musical artists to write music the way they imagined they would in the year 2000, the setting of the movie.

The members of Depeche Mode regrouped in [[Madrid]] in February 1992. Gahan had become interested in the new [[grunge]] scene sweeping the US and was influenced by the likes of [[Jane's Addiction]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Alice in Chains]] and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].<ref name="Contact">{{cite web |title= Dave Gahan's Rock Awakening |website= [[Contactmusic.com]] |date= 20 June 2003 |access-date= 26 March 2013 |url= http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/dave-gahan.s-rock-awakening |archive-date= 2 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130602194426/http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/dave-gahan.s-rock-awakening |url-status= dead }}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = "There's so many sounds that are created from the voice that you wouldn't know were taken from the voice, like rhythm sounds. The number of times I've been sitting in the studio and said, 'I wish I could get a bass that would just go [mimics wet, thick hip-hop bass-drum sound].' Then I think, 'Why can't I just go [repeats noise] into a mic and sample it?' It's ''obvious''; you spend all day trying to get a synthesiser to try and create this sound but you can just go [repeats noise] and you've got it. Then you can send it through some other device after that, and you've got something that sounds absolutely nothing like a voice, but the source was a voice. ... It is a very interesting process."
| source = Alan Wilder on the genesis of some of the sounds on ''Songs of Faith and Devotion'', stated to ''Pulse! magazine'' – May 1993.<ref name="P93"/>
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In 1993, ''[[Songs of Faith and Devotion]]'', again with [[Flood (music producer)|Flood]] producing, saw them experimenting with arrangements based as much on heavily distorted electric guitars and live drums (played by Alan Wilder, whose debut as a studio drummer had come on the ''Violator'' track "Clean") as on synthesisers.<ref>{{cite web |title= Songs of Faith and Devotion – Depeche Mode |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 14 May 2016 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/epilog1.htm |archive-date= 11 August 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220811204525/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/epilog1.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> Live [[String instrument|strings]], [[uilleann pipes]] and female [[Gospel music|gospel]] vocals were other new additions to the band's sound. The album debuted at number one in both the UK and the US, only the sixth British act to achieve such a distinction to date.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=299}} The first single from the album was the grunge-influenced "[[I Feel You]]". The gospel influences are most noticeable on the album's third single, "[[Condemnation (song)|Condemnation]]". Interviews given by the band during this period tended to be conducted separately, unlike earlier albums, where the band was interviewed as a group.<ref name="P93"/>

The [[Devotional Tour]] followed, documented by a concert film of the [[Devotional (video)|same name]]. The film was directed by [[Anton Corbijn]], and in 1995 earned the band their first [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] nomination.<ref>{{cite web|title= 37th Grammy Awards – 1995 |website= Rock on the Net |access-date= 24 February 2009 |url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1995/grammys.htm}}</ref> The band's second live album, ''[[Songs of Faith and Devotion Live]]'', was released in December 1993. The tour continued into 1994 with the [[Exotic Tour/Summer Tour '94|Exotic Tour]], which began in February 1994 in South Africa, and ended in April in Mexico. The final leg of the tour, consisting of more North American dates, followed shortly thereafter and ran until July. As a whole, the Devotional Tour is to date the longest and most geographically diverse Depeche Mode tour, spanning fourteen months and 159 individual performances.

''Q'' magazine described the 1993 Devotional Tour as "The Most Debauched Rock 'n' Roll Tour Ever".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Omar |last= Ali |title= In the Mode for Love |date= 4 April 2001 |magazine= [[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]] |url= http://sacreddm.net/2000s/tmo040401/tmo040401main.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724051944/http://sacreddm.net/2000s/tmo040401/tmo040401main.htm |archive-date= 24 July 2011}}</ref> According to ''[[The Independent]]'', the "smack-blasted" Gahan "required cortisone shots just to perform, borderline alcoholic Gore suffered two stress-induced seizures, and Andrew Fletcher's deepening depression resulted, in the summer of 1994, in a full nervous breakdown."<ref>{{cite news|first= Glyn |last= Brown |title= Music a la Mode |newspaper= [[The Independent]] |date= 2 May 1997 |access-date= 28 February 2019 |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music-a-la-mode-1259205.html}}</ref> During the performance in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], Gahan suffered a heart attack brought on by drug use and had to be ushered out of the [[Lakefront Arena]] in an ambulance.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/keith_spera/depeche-mode-dave-gahan-were-fantastic-at-new-orleans-show/article_3910afc8-6606-11ee-a07e-43710285a40d.html|title= Depeche Mode defied mortality in New Orleans 30 years after singer nearly died here|publisher=nola.com|access-date=2025-04-27}}</ref> In [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], local police arrested Gore and fined him $50 for disturbing the peace when he held a loud party in his hotel room.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://totally80s.com/article/november-1993-when-martin-gore-depeche-mode-got-arrested-denver|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105231220/http://totally80s.com/article/november-1993-when-martin-gore-depeche-mode-got-arrested-denver|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2020|title=November 1993: When Martin Gore of Depeche Mode got arrested in Denver|access-date=25 June 2022|website=Totally 80s}}</ref> Fletcher declined to participate in the second half of the [[Exotic Tour/Summer Tour '94|Exotic Tour]] due to mental instability;{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} he was replaced on stage by [[Daryl Bamonte]], who had worked with the band as a personal assistant since the beginning of their career in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Singles 86–98 |website= Recoil.co.uk |access-date= 14 May 2016 |url= http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/epilog1.htm |archive-date= 11 August 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220811204525/http://oldsite.recoil.co.uk/report/edit/dm8698/epilog1.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>"Compact Space". Compact Space. 2011.</ref>

In June 1995, Alan Wilder announced that he was leaving Depeche Mode, explaining:
{{blockquote|Since joining in 1982, I have continually striven to give total energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the furthering of the group's success, and in spite of a consistent imbalance in the distribution of the workload, willingly offered this. Unfortunately, within the group, this level of input never received the respect and acknowledgement that it warrants.<ref>{{cite web|title= Sad Announcement: Alan Wilder left DM |date= 2 June 1995 |url= http://www.tuug.utu.fi/~jaakko/dm/alan.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140204023346/http://www.tuug.utu.fi/~jaakko/dm/alan.html |archive-date= 4 February 2014}}</ref>|author=Alan Wilder}}

He continued to work on his personal project [[Recoil (band)|Recoil]], releasing a fourth album (''[[Unsound Methods]]'') in 1997.

===''Ultra'' (1996–1998)===
{{See also|Ultra (Depeche Mode album)|The Singles 86–98}}
Despite Gahan's increasingly severe personal problems, Gore tried repeatedly during 1995 and 1996 to get the band recording again. However, Gahan would rarely turn up to scheduled sessions, and when he did, it would take weeks to get any vocals recorded; one six-week session at [[Electric Lady Studios|Electric Lady]] in New York produced just one usable vocal (for "Sister of Night"), and even that was pieced together from multiple takes.{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=413}} Gore was forced to contemplate breaking the band up and considered releasing the songs he had written as a solo album.<ref>{{cite news|first= Mark |last= Brown |title= Depeche vs. Drugs |newspaper= [[Winnipeg Free Press]] |date= 1 May 1997 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= http://www.tuug.org/~jaakko/dm/dmtekstit/drugs.txt |url-status= dead |archive-date= 26 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170126080710/http://www.tuug.org/~jaakko/dm/dmtekstit/drugs.txt}}</ref> In mid-1996, after his near-fatal overdose in which his heart stopped beating for two minutes,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2011 |title=Sacred DM – NME 18 01 97 |url=http://www.sacreddm.net/1990s/nme180197/nme180197main.htm |access-date=13 October 2022 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724052835/http://www.sacreddm.net/1990s/nme180197/nme180197main.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Gahan entered a court-ordered [[drug rehabilitation]] program to battle his addiction to cocaine and heroin.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Keith |last= Cameron |title= Dead Man Talking |date= 18 January 1997 |magazine= NME |url= http://www.sacreddm.net/1990s/nme180197/nme180197main.htm |archive-date= 24 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724052835/http://www.sacreddm.net/1990s/nme180197/nme180197main.htm}}</ref> With Gahan out of rehab in 1996, Depeche Mode held recording sessions with producer [[Tim Simenon]].

Preceded by two singles, "[[Barrel of a Gun]]" and "[[It's No Good]]", the album ''[[Ultra (Depeche Mode album)|Ultra]]'' was released in April 1997. The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK as well as Germany, and No. 5 in the US. The band did not tour in support of the album, with Fletcher quoted as saying: "We're not fit enough. Dave's only eight months into his sobriety, and our bodies are telling us to spend time with our families."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Paul |last= Sexton |title= Depeche Mode Back from the Brink |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= 15 March 1997 |volume= 109 |issue= 11 |pages= 20–22 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=aA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20}}</ref> As part of the promotion for the release of the album, they did perform two short concerts in London and Los Angeles, promoted as "Ultra Parties".{{sfn|Miller|2004|p=429}} ''Ultra'' spawned two further singles, "[[Home (Depeche Mode song)|Home]]" and "[[Useless (song)|Useless]]".

A second singles compilation, ''[[The Singles 86–98|The Singles 86>98]]'', was released in 1998, preceded by the new single "[[Only When I Lose Myself]]". In April 1998, Depeche Mode held a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel in [[Cologne]] to announce the Singles Tour.<ref>{{cite web|title= Press Conference, Hyatt Hotel, Cologne Germany |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 20 April 1998 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/video/other/pressconf_ger98.html |archive-date= 28 December 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121228102751/http://www.depechemode.com/video/other/pressconf_ger98.html}}</ref> The tour was the first to feature two backing musicians in place of Wilder—Austrian drummer Christian Eigner and British keyboardist [[Peter Gordeno (musician)|Peter Gordeno]].

===''Exciter'' (1999–2004)===
{{See also|Exciter (Depeche Mode album)|Remixes 81–04}}
In 2001, Depeche Mode released ''[[Exciter (Depeche Mode album)|Exciter]]'', produced by [[Mark Bell (British musician)|Mark Bell]] (of [[techno]] group [[LFO (British band)|LFO]]). Bell introduced a minimalist, digital sound to much of the album, influenced by [[Intelligent dance music|IDM]] and [[Glitch (music)|glitch]]. "[[Dream On (Depeche Mode song)|Dream On]]", "[[I Feel Loved]]", "[[Freelove]]" and "[[Goodnight Lovers]]" were released as singles in 2001 and 2002. Critical response to the album was mixed, with reasonably positive reviews from some magazines (''[[NME]]'', ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and ''[[LA Weekly]]''), while others (including ''Q'' magazine, ''[[PopMatters]]'' and ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'') derided it as sounding underproduced, dull and lacking in luster.<ref>{{cite web|title= Exciter – Depeche Mode |website= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= 10 February 2007 |url= https://www.metacritic.com/music/exciter/depeche-mode}}</ref>

In March 2001, Depeche Mode held a press conference at the Valentino Hotel in [[Hamburg]] to announce the Exciter Tour.<ref>{{cite web|title= Press Conference, Valentino Hotel, Hamburg Germany |date= 13 March 2001 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/video/other/germanpress2001.html |archive-date= 10 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120310081758/http://www.depechemode.com/video/other/germanpress2001.html}}</ref> The tour featured 84 performances for over 1.5 million fans in 24 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode to Release "One Night in Paris" as a DVD 27 May; Will Include Bonus Footage and Special Features |website= Onipdvd.depechemode.com |url= http://onipdvd.depechemode.com/press_release01.html |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165316/http://onipdvd.depechemode.com/press_release01.html}}</ref> The concerts held in Paris at the [[Accor Arena|Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy]] were filmed and later released in May 2002 as a live DVD entitled ''[[One Night in Paris]]''.

In October 2002 the band won the first-ever ''Q'' magazine "Innovation Award".<ref>{{cite web|title= The Q Awards |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 22 October 2002 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/video/television/theqawards2002.html |archive-date= 15 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130215053446/http://www.depechemode.com/video/television/theqawards2002.html}}</ref>

In 2003, Gahan released his first solo album, ''[[Paper Monsters]]'', and toured to promote the record. Also released in 2003 was Gore's second solo album ''[[Counterfeit 2|Counterfeit²]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Martin L. Gore – Counterfeit² |website= Martingore.com |url= http://www.martingore.com/discography/index.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141106092051/http://www.martingore.com/discography/index.html |archive-date= 6 November 2014}}</ref> Fletcher founded his own record label, Toast Hawaii, specialising in promoting electronic music.

A new remix compilation album, ''[[Remixes 81–04]]'', was released in 2004, featuring new and unreleased promo mixes of the band's singles from 1981 to 2004. A new version of "Enjoy the Silence", remixed by [[Mike Shinoda]] of [[Linkin Park]], "[[Enjoy the Silence 04]]", was released as a single and reached No. 7 on the UK charts.

===''Playing the Angel'' (2005–2007)===
[[File:Bremen 2006 Depeche Mode by-RaBoe.jpg|thumb|[[Touring the Angel]] concert in [[Bremen]], June 2006]]{{See also|Playing the Angel|Touring the Angel: Live in Milan|The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1}}
In October 2005, the band released their 11th studio album ''[[Playing the Angel]]''. Produced by [[Ben Hillier]], the album peaked at No. 1 in 18 countries and featured the hit single "[[Precious (Depeche Mode song)|Precious]]". This is the first Depeche Mode album to feature lyrics written by Gahan and, consequently, the first album since 1984's ''[[Some Great Reward]]'' featuring songs not written by Gore. "[[Suffer Well]]" was the first ever post-Clarke Depeche Mode single not to be written by Gore (lyrics by Gahan, music by Philpott/Eigner). The final single from the album was "[[John the Revelator / Lilian|John the Revelator]]", an up-tempo electronic track with a running religious theme, accompanied by "Lilian", a lush track that was a hit in many clubs all over the world.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

To promote ''Playing the Angel'', the band launched [[Touring the Angel]], a concert tour of Europe and North America that began in November 2005 and ran for nine months. During the last two legs of the tour Depeche Mode headlined a number of festivals including the [[Coachella|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] and the [[Wireless Festival|O<sub>2</sub> Wireless Festival]]. In total, the band played to more than 2.8 million people across 31 countries and the tour was one of the highest grossing and critically acclaimed tours of 2005/2006.<ref name="Mason"/> Speaking about the tour, Gahan praised it as "probably the most enjoyable, rewarding live shows we've ever done. The new material was just waiting to be played live. It took on a life of its own. With the energy of the crowds, it just came to life."<ref>{{cite press release|title= "Depeche Mode: Touring the Angel, Live in Milan", to Premiere Nationwide in a One-Night Big Screen Concerts(SM) Event |agency= [[Business Wire]] |date= 11 September 2006 |url= http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060911005891&newsLang=en |archive-date= 16 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120316084326/http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060911005891&newsLang=en}}</ref> Two shows at [[Milan]]'s [[Forum di Milano|Fila Forum]] were filmed and edited into a concert film, released on DVD as ''[[Touring the Angel: Live in Milan]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode – Touring The Angel: Live in Milan |website= Liveinmilan.depechemode.com |url= http://liveinmilan.depechemode.com/ |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131231/http://liveinmilan.depechemode.com/}}</ref>

A "best-of" compilation was released in November 2006, entitled ''[[The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1]]'' featuring a new single "[[Martyr (song)|Martyr]]", an outtake from the ''Playing the Angel'' sessions. Later that month Depeche Mode received the [[2006 MTV Europe Music Awards|MTV Europe Music Award]] in the Best Group category.<ref>{{cite web|title= 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best Group |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 2 November 2006 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/video/television/110206_mtv_ema.html |archive-date= 15 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130215044112/http://www.depechemode.com/video/television/110206_mtv_ema.html}}</ref>

In December 2006, [[iTunes]] released ''The Complete Depeche Mode'' as its fourth ever digital box-set.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Complete Depeche Mode |date= 19 December 2006 |website= Thecomplete.depechemode.com |url= http://thecomplete.depechemode.com/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171149/http://thecomplete.depechemode.com/ |archive-date= 3 March 2016}}</ref>

In August 2007, during promotion for Gahan's second solo album, ''[[Hourglass (Dave Gahan album)|Hourglass]]'', it was announced that Depeche Mode were heading back in studio in early 2008 to work on a new album.<ref>{{cite web|first= B. |last= Van Isacker |title= New Depeche Mode album in the pipeline for 2008 |website= Side-Line |date= 27 July 2007 |url= http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=24791_0_2_0_C |archive-date= 22 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100622072440/http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=24791_0_2_0_C}}</ref>

===''Sounds of the Universe'' (2008–2011)===
{{See also|Sounds of the Universe|Tour of the Universe: Barcelona 20/21.11.09|Remixes 2: 81–11}}
[[File:Depeche Mode Milano 18 06 2009 (3641921971).jpg|thumb|Depeche Mode in 2009]]
In May 2008, the band returned to the studio with producer [[Ben Hillier]] to work on some songs that Martin Gore had demoed at his home studio in [[Santa Barbara, California]]. Later that year it was announced that Depeche Mode were splitting from their long-term US label, Warner Music, and signing with [[EMI]] Music worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode sign worldwide exclusive deal with EMI Music – to include the US for the first time |publisher= [[EMI]] Music |date= 7 October 2008 |url= http://www.emimusic.com/news/2008/depeche-mode-sign-worldwide-exclusive-deal-with-emi-music-to-include-the-us-for-the-first-time/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130623164214/http://www.emimusic.com/news/2008/depeche-mode-sign-worldwide-exclusive-deal-with-emi-music-to-include-the-us-for-the-first-time/ |archive-date= 23 June 2013}}</ref> The album was created in four sessions, two in New York and two in Santa Barbara. A total of 22 songs were recorded, with the standard album being 13 songs in length while many of the others were released in subsequent deluxe editions.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Peter |last= Kirn |title= Depeche Mode: Exploring Deeper Space on Sounds of the Universe |date= May 2009 |magazine= [[Keyboard (magazine)|Keyboard]] |url= http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/depeche-mode-exploring/may-09/95777 |archive-date= 5 May 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090505172209/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/depeche-mode-exploring/may-09/95777}}</ref>

In 2009, Depeche Mode allowed their likeness to be used in [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s ''[[Left 4 Dead 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first= Richard |last= Mitchell |title= Depeche Mode is all over ''Left 4 Dead 2'' |website= [[Engadget]] |date= 29 July 2009 |access-date= 5 July 2020 |url= https://www.engadget.com/2009-07-29-depeche-mode-is-all-over-left-4-dead-2.html}}</ref>

[[File:Depeche Mode O2 15 12 09.JPG|right|thumb|[[Tour of the Universe (tour)|Tour of the Universe]] concert at London's O<sub>2</sub> Arena, December 2009]]
On 15 January 2009, the official Depeche Mode website announced that the band's twelfth studio album would be called ''[[Sounds of the Universe]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode Announces the Release of Sounds of the Universe 21 April 2009 |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 15 January 2009 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090115203008/http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |archive-date= 15 January 2009}}</ref> The album was released on 14 April 2009, also made available through an iTunes Pass, where the buyer received individual tracks in the weeks leading up to the official release date. Fletcher said the idea for their iTunes Pass was a combination of the band's and iTunes': "I think the digital and record companies are starting to get their act together. They were very lazy in the first 10 years when downloads came in. Now they're collaborating more and coming up with interesting ideas for fans to buy products."<ref>{{cite news |title= Depeche Mode on new CD out today and tour |date= 21 April 2009 |newspaper= [[USA Weekend]] |url= http://whosnews.usaweekend.com/2009/04/depeche-mode-on-new-cd-out-today-and-tour/ |archive-date= 16 July 2012 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120716083139/http://whosnews.usaweekend.com/2009/04/depeche-mode-on-new-cd-out-today-and-tour/ |access-date= 10 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album went to number one in 21 countries. Critical response was generally positive and it was nominated for a Grammy in the [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album|Best Alternative Album]] category.<ref>{{cite web|title= depeche mode dot com |website= DepecheMode.com |access-date= 22 July 2010 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090907005656/http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |archive-date= 7 September 2009}}</ref> "[[Wrong (Depeche Mode song)|Wrong]]" was the first single from the album, released digitally in February 2009. Subsequent singles were "[[Peace (Depeche Mode song)|Peace]]" and the double A-side "[[Fragile Tension / Hole to Feed]]". In addition, "Perfect" was released as a promotional-only (non-commercial) single in the United States.

On 23 April 2009, Depeche Mode performed for the television program ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' at the [[Hollywood and Vine|famed corner]] of [[Hollywood Boulevard]] and [[Vine Street]], drawing more than 12,000 fans, which was the largest audience the program had seen since its 2003 premiere, with a performance by [[Coldplay]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Shirley |last= Halperin |title= Depeche Mode Shut Down Hollywood Blvd for "Kimmel" |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= 24 April 2009 |access-date= 10 May 2011 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/depeche-mode-shut-down-hollywood-blvd-for-kimmel-20090424}}</ref>

In May 2009, the band embarked on a concert tour in support of the album, called [[Tour of the Universe (tour)|Tour of the Universe]]; it had been announced at a press conference in October 2008 at the [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]] in Berlin.<ref>{{cite news|first= Georgie |last= Rogers |title= Depeche Mode tour |publisher= [[BBC Radio 6 Music]] |date= 7 October 2008 |access-date= 19 October 2010 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20081007_depeche_mode.shtml}}</ref> There was a warm up show in [[Luxembourg]] and it officially started on 10 May 2009 in [[Tel Aviv]]. The first leg of the tour was disrupted when Dave Gahan was struck down with [[gastroenteritis]]. During treatment, doctors found and removed a low-grade tumour from the singer's bladder. Gahan's illness caused 16 concerts to be cancelled, but several of the shows were rescheduled for 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Andre |last= Paine |title= Depeche Mode Cancels More Dates as Singer Recovers from Surgery |magazine= Billboard |date= 28 May 2009 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268523/depeche-mode-cancels-more-dates-as-singer-recovers-from-surgery}}</ref> The band headlined the [[Lollapalooza]] festival during the North American leg of the tour. The tour also took the band back to South America for the first time since 1994's [[Exotic Tour/Summer Tour '94|Exotic Tour]]. During the final European leg, the band played a show at London's [[Royal Albert Hall]] in aid of the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]], where former member Alan Wilder joined Martin Gore on stage for a performance of "[[Blasphemous Rumours / Somebody|Somebody]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Depeche Mode joined by former band member at Teenage Cancer Trust show |magazine= [[NME]] |date= 18 February 2010 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= https://www.nme.com/news/depeche-mode/49827}}</ref><ref name="Chart Attack">{{cite magazine|title= Alan Wilder Rejoins Depeche Mode for One Song in London |magazine= [[ChartAttack]] |date= 18 February 2010 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= http://www.chartattack.com/news/2010/02/18/alan-wilder-rejoins-depeche-mode-for-one-song-in-london/ |archive-date= 5 March 2016 |url-status= usurped |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011218/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2010/02/18/alan-wilder-rejoins-depeche-mode-for-one-song-in-london/}}</ref> In total the band played to more than 2.7 million people across 32 countries and the tour was one of the most profitable in America in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title= 'Tour of the Universe – Live in Barcelona' – New Live Video |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 23 September 2010 |access-date= 26 September 2010 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090907005656/http://www.depechemode.com/news.html |archive-date= 7 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= Top 25 Tours of 2009 |magazine= Billboard |date= 11 December 2009 |access-date= 4 July 2011 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266418/top-25-tours-of-2009 |quote= 20. Depeche Mode<br/>Total Gross: $45,658,648<br/>Number of Shows: 31<br/>Total Attendance: 690,936<br/>Number of Sell-Outs: 9}}</ref> The concerts held at [[Palau Sant Jordi]], [[Barcelona|Barcelona, Spain]] were filmed and later released on DVD and [[Blu-ray]] release entitled ''[[Tour of the Universe: Barcelona 20/21.11.09]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Tour of the Universe: Barcelona 20/21.11.09 CD+DVD |publisher= [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |access-date= 4 June 2011 |url= https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00445JSWS}}</ref> In March 2010, Depeche Mode won the award for "Best International Group – Rock / Pop" at the [[Echo Music Prize|Echo Awards]] in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title= Robbie Williams und Depeche Mode gewinnen ECHO 2010, Doppelerfolge für Jan Delay und Silbermond |website= [[Echo (music award)|Echopop.de]] |date= 5 March 2010 |url= http://www.echopop.de/pop-presse-einzelansicht/hash/64e7ed8fe937b65ae687db4b00ea9fa4/news/xuid58-robbie-williams-und-depeche-mode-gewinnen-echo-2010-doppelerfolge-fuer-jan-delay-und-silberm/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141106030611/http://www.echopop.de/pop-presse-einzelansicht/hash/64e7ed8fe937b65ae687db4b00ea9fa4/news/xuid58-robbie-williams-und-depeche-mode-gewinnen-echo-2010-doppelerfolge-fuer-jan-delay-und-silberm/ |archive-date= 6 November 2014 |language= de}}</ref>

On 6 June 2011, as the final commitment to their contract with EMI,<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Marc |last= Spitz |title= Q&A: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode |magazine= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date= 7 June 2011 |access-date= 11 June 2011 |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/06/depeche-mode-qa}}</ref> the band released a [[Remix album|remix]] [[compilation album]], entitled ''[[Remixes 2: 81–11]]'' that features remixes by former members [[Vince Clarke]] and [[Alan Wilder]].<ref name="CoS">{{cite web |first= Alex |last= Young |title= Depeche Mode members to reunite for new remix album |website= [[Consequence of Sound]] |date= 18 November 2010 |access-date= 7 December 2010 |url=https://consequence.net/2010/11/depeche-mode-members-to-reunite-for-new-remix-album/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Vince Clarke, Alan Wilder remixing Depeche Mode tracks for CD expected next year |website= [[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |date= 16 November 2010 |access-date= 7 December 2010 |url= http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/11/16/depeche-mode-remix-album-vince-clarke-alan-wilder/}}</ref> Other remixers involved with the project were [[Nick Rhodes]] of [[Duran Duran]],<ref>{{cite web|first= B. |last= Van Isacker |title= Duran Duran remix 'Personal Jesus' for upcoming Depeche Mode remix album |website= Side-Line |date= 28 November 2010 |url= http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=45484_0_2_0_C |archive-date= 6 September 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130906062409/http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=45484_0_2_0_C}}</ref> [[Röyksopp]], Karlsson & Winnberg of [[Miike Snow]], [[Eric Prydz]], [[Clark (musician)|Clark]] and more.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode "Remixes 2: 81–11" Coming 6 June |website= DepecheMode.com |url= http://www.depechemode.com/news.html#news_133 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 7 September 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090907005656/http://www.depechemode.com/news.html#news_133}}</ref> A new remix of "Personal Jesus" by [[Stargate (record producers)|Stargate]], entitled "[[Personal Jesus 2011]]", was released as a single on 30 May 2011, in support of the compilation.

Depeche Mode contributed their cover of the U2 song "[[So Cruel]]" to the tribute album ''[[AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered]]'' honouring the 20th anniversary of ''[[Achtung Baby]]'', a 1991 album by [[U2]]. The compilation CD was released with the December 2011 issue of ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode, Jack White, Patti Smith, Glasvegas help cover U2's 'Achtung Baby' |website= [[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |date= 4 September 2011 |access-date= 15 September 2011 |url= http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2011/09/04/depeche-mode-glasvegas-u2-covers-achtung-baby/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first= Karen |last= Bliss |title= Bono Announces 'Achtung Baby' Covers Album |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= 9 September 2011 |access-date= 5 November 2014 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bono-announces-achtung-baby-covers-album-20110909}}</ref>

===''Delta Machine'' (2012–2014)===
{{See also|Delta Machine|Live in Berlin (Depeche Mode album and video)}}
[[File:Wetten dass 20130323 6662.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Depeche Mode in 2013, performing at ''[[Wetten, dass..?]]'']]
In October 2012 during a press conference in Paris, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher announced plans for a new album and a 2013 worldwide tour starting from [[Tel Aviv]] and continuing in Europe and North America.<ref>{{cite news|title= Depeche Mode plans 2013 album and tour |date= 24 October 2012 |publisher= [[CBC News]] |url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/depeche-mode-plans-2013-album-and-tour-1.1195800}}</ref> Martin Gore revealed that [[Flood (music producer)|Flood]] mixed the album, marking the producer's first studio collaboration with the band since 1993's ''[[Songs of Faith and Devotion]]''.

In December 2012, the band officially announced signing a worldwide deal with [[Columbia Records]] and releasing a new album in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|first= Alex |last= Young |title= Depeche Mode to release new album in March |website= [[Consequence of Sound]] |date= 11 December 2012 |access-date= 12 December 2012 |url= https://consequence.net/2012/12/depeche-mode-to-release-new-album-in-march/}}</ref> On 24 January 2013, it was confirmed that the album was titled ''[[Delta Machine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first= Carrie |last= Battan |title= Depeche Mode Detail New Album Delta Machine |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= 24 January 2013 |access-date= 24 January 2013 |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/49193-depeche-mode-detail-new-album-delta-machine/}}</ref> "[[Heaven (Depeche Mode song)|Heaven]]", the debut single from ''Delta Machine'' was released commercially on Friday 1 February 2013 (although not in the UK). The release date in the UK was pushed back to 18 March 2013 (17 March 2013 on iTunes). The physical release still bore the Mute Records logo, even though the band have now severed ties with their long-standing label. Fletcher mentioned in an interview this was due to their "devotion" to the label and with the band's insistence.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}''Delta Machine'' spawned two further singles, "[[Soothe My Soul]]" on 6 May and "[[Should Be Higher]]" on 11 October. Though neither performed well in the UK charts they did perform moderately in other European charts.

In March, the band announced North American dates to their [[The Delta Machine Tour|Delta Machine Tour]], starting 22 August from [[Detroit]] and ending 8 October in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode announces North American dates for 'Delta Machine' summer tour |website= [[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |date= 11 March 2013 |access-date= 11 March 2013 |url= http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/03/11/depeche-mode-us-tour-dates/}}</ref> In June, other European dates<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode Hallentour 2013 / 2014 – Tickets Vorverkauf |website= Vorverkaufstarts.de |url= http://www.vorverkaufstarts.de/depeche-mode-hallentour-2013-2014 |archive-date= 6 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306040408/http://www.vorverkaufstarts.de/depeche-mode-hallentour-2013-2014 |language= de}}</ref> were confirmed for early 2014. The final gig of the tour took place in Moscow, Russia on 7 March 2014, at Olimpiski venue.

That month, Depeche Mode won the award for "Best International Group – Rock / Pop" at the [[Echo Music Prize|Echo Awards]] in Germany. Also, they were nominated at the category "Album des Jahres (national oder international)" for ''Delta Machine'' but lost against [[Helene Fischer]]'s ''Farbenspiel''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Die Gewinner 2014 |website= Echopop.de |url= http://www.echopop.de/pop-gewinner/ |archive-date= 16 February 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150216195255/http://www.echopop.de/pop-gewinner/ |language= de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Echo 2014: Helene Fischer räumt ab |website= Laut.de |date= 27 March 2014 |access-date= 28 March 2014 |url= http://www.laut.de/News/Echo-2014-Helene-Fischer-raeumt-ab-27-03-2014-10286/Seite-1 |language= de}}</ref>

On 8 October 2014, the band announced ''[[Live in Berlin (Depeche Mode album and video)|Live in Berlin]]'', the new video and audio release filmed and recorded at the [[Uber Arena|O2 World]] in Berlin, Germany in November 2013 during the Delta Machine Tour. It was released on 17 November 2014 worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title= Depeche Mode Live in Berlin – Coming November 17th on Columbia Records |website= DepecheMode.com |date= 8 October 2014 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/depeche-mode-live-in-berlin-coming-november-17th-on-columbia-records |archive-date= 11 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141011090759/http://www.depechemode.com/depeche-mode-live-in-berlin-coming-november-17th-on-columbia-records}}</ref>

===''Spirit'' (2015–2021)===
{{See also|Spirit (Depeche Mode album)|Spirits in the Forest}}
In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview celebrating the 25th anniversary of ''[[Violator (album)|Violator]]'', Gore stated that [[Johnny Cash]]'s cover of "[[Personal Jesus]]" is his favorite cover version of a Depeche Mode song.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Kory |last= Grow |title= Black Celebration: Depeche Mode Look Back on 'Violator' 25 Years Later |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= 19 March 2015 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/black-celebration-depeche-mode-look-back-on-violator-25-years-later-20150319}}</ref>

On 25 January 2016, Gore announced a projected return to the recording studio in April, with both Gore and Gahan having already written and demoed new songs.<ref>{{cite web|title= Episode 68 – Martin Gore from Depeche Mode |website= The RobCast |date= 25 January 2016 |access-date= 6 April 2017 |url= https://robbell.podbean.com/e/episode-68-martin-gore-from-depeche-mode/}}</ref> In September, the official Depeche Mode [[Facebook]] page hinted at a new release, later confirmed by the band to be a music video compilation, ''Video Singles Collection'', scheduled for release in November by [[Sony]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Kory |last= Grow |title= Depeche Mode Detail Massive Video Box Set |date= 13 September 2016 |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= 4 October 2016 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/depeche-mode-detail-massive-video-box-set-w439355}}</ref> In October 2016, the band announced that their fourteenth album titled ''[[Spirit (Depeche Mode album)|Spirit]].'' It was produced by [[James Ford (musician)|James Ford]], and was released on 17 March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|first= Sheldon |last= Pearce |title= Depeche Mode Announce New Album Spirit, Upcoming Tour |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= 11 October 2016 |access-date= 11 October 2016 |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/68361-depeche-mode-announce-new-album-spirit-upcoming-tour/}}</ref>

"[[Where's the Revolution]]", the lead single from ''Spirit'', was released 3 February 2017, along with its lyric video. The official video was published a week later, on 9 February.<ref>{{cite news|first= Roisin |last= O'Connor |title= Where's the Revolution? Depeche Mode release blistering new track |newspaper= [[The Independent]] |date= 3 February 2017 |access-date= 19 February 2017 |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/depeche-mode-wheres-the-revolution-new-music-album-release-date-donald-trump-a7562471.html/}}</ref> The [[Global Spirit Tour]] officially kicked off on 5 May 2017 with a performance in Stockholm, Sweden, at the Friends Arena. The first leg of the tour covered European countries only, ending with a final stadium show in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, at the Cluj Arena. The second leg of the tour covered North America and returned to Europe. The North America leg of the tour kicked off in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 23 August, at the USANA Amphitheatre. Depeche Mode broke a record when the band became the first to play four nights at the [[Hollywood Bowl]].<ref name="variety2017">{{cite web | last=Trakin | first=Roy | title=Depeche Mode's Love Affair With Los Angeles Explained, on Heels of Historic Hollywood Bowl Run | publisher=Variety | date=2017-04-21 | url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/depeche-modes-hollywood-bowl-1202391792/ | access-date=2023-03-29}}</ref> The band remained in North America until 15 November when they left for Dublin to resume the European leg. The band ended the tour in Europe with two sold-out shows on 23 and 25 July 2018 in Berlin, Germany, at the Waldbühne.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Global Spirit Tour |website= Depechemode.com |date= 12 October 2016 |access-date= 12 September 2017 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/article/the-global-spirit-tour |archive-date= 11 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161011224914/http://www.depechemode.com/article/the-global-spirit-tour |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Global Spirit Tour |website= Depechemode.com |access-date= 12 September 2017 |url= http://www.depechemode.com/tour |archive-date= 27 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161027073958/http://www.depechemode.com/tour |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first= Bob |last= Allen |title= Just Can't Get Enough: Depeche Mode's World Tour Tops $202 Million |magazine= [[Pollstar]] |date= 4 September 2018 |access-date= 14 October 2019 |url= https://www.pollstar.com/article/just-cant-get-enough-depeche-modes-world-tour-tops-202-million-136227}}</ref>

In September 2019, the band announced that ''[[Spirits in the Forest]]'', a documentary that was partially filmed during these shows by long-time collaborator [[Anton Corbijn]], would be released in theatres for one night only, 21 November 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Kory |last= Grow |title= Depeche Mode Doc 'Spirits in the Forest' to Weave Fans' Stories with Concert Footage |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= 19 September 2019 |access-date= 14 October 2019 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/depeche-mode-documentary-spirits-in-the-forest-887141/}}</ref> It was released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray under the title ''LiVE SPiRiTS'' on 26 June 2020.

On 7 November 2020, the band were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref name="Lynch"/>

=== Fletcher's death and ''Memento Mori'' (2022–present)===
{{see also|Memento Mori (Depeche Mode album)}}
On 26 May 2022, [[Andy Fletcher (musician)|Andy Fletcher]] died, aged 60, after suffering an [[aortic dissection]] while at home. His bandmates Gahan and Gore stated, "we are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher." Former Depeche Mode member [[Alan Wilder]] stated that learning of Fletcher's death was "a real bolt from the blue."<ref>{{Cite web |title="We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member and bandmate Andy "Fletch" Fletcher. Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint. Our hearts our with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time."|url=https://twitter.com/depechemode/status/1529901182562340864 |author=@depechemode|access-date=26 May 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2022 |title=Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61597992 |access-date=26 May 2022}}</ref>

Prior to Fletcher's death, Gahan said: "There's a ton of stuff that we've done with Depeche Mode that I'm really proud of. I think that's come with time and age. Martin put out a record last year which I really liked. I actually bought a copy because it wouldn't feel right otherwise. I know he's been pottering away in his studio as well, so I guess at some point next year we'll get together. Hopefully at least to just have a chat about what we both feel like we could move forward with."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=8 October 2021 |title=Dave Gahan covers Cat Power and tells us about his 'liberating' new album and the future of Depeche Mode |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-gahan-imposter-cat-power-cover-depeche-mode-interview-new-album-3065666 |access-date=7 April 2025 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Depeche Mode Oct 4 2022 (2).jpg|thumb|Gore (left) and Gahan (centre) announcing their upcoming album, at a press conference in Berlin]]

On 15 August 2022, the social media accounts for Depeche Mode posted a photo of Gahan and Gore in a recording studio, with them tweeting, "finding stability in what we know and love, and focusing on what gives life meaning and purpose", which magazines like ''[[NME]]'' suggested was a hint at work on a new studio album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=15 August 2022 |title=Surviving members of Depeche Mode share new photo from the studio |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/surviving-members-of-depeche-mode-share-new-photo-from-the-studio-3290364 |access-date=18 August 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Depeche Mode on Instagram: "Finding stability in what we know and love, and focusing on what gives life meaning and purpose." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSYaU-Jbhh/ |access-date=16 August 2022 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref>

On 4 October 2022, Depeche Mode announced their fifteenth studio album ''[[Memento Mori (Depeche Mode album)|Memento Mori]]'' and a tour to support the album which started on 23 March 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Levine|first=Robert|title=Depeche Mode Returns With 'Memento More' Album, World Tour|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/depeche-mode-album-tour-dates-memento-more/|date=4 October 2022|access-date=4 October 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

The first single, "[[Ghosts Again]]", released on 9 February 2023, was co-written by [[Richard Butler (singer)|Richard Butler]] of [[the Psychedelic Furs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=9 February 2023 |title=Depeche Mode share new single 'Ghosts Again' and details of new album 'Memento Mori' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/depeche-mode-ghosts-again-listen-new-album-memento-mori-tracklist-release-date-3395588 |access-date=10 February 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=21 March 2023 |title=Depeche Mode on what The Psychedelic Furs' Richard Butler brought to 'Memento Mori' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/depeche-mode-on-what-the-psychedelic-furs-richard-butler-brought-to-memento-mori-3417557 |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> It received relative success in the UK, charting at No. 14. "Ghosts Again" had widespread success in the US, charting in the top 10 of 3 ''Billboard'' charts. Reaching number 2 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart, Gahan said it "captures this perfect balance of melancholy and joy", while Gore said it has "such an upbeat feel to it" and how rare it is for the band to record a song that "I just don't get sick of listening to."

The band stated that work on the album began during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Depeche Mode announce first album in five years Memento Mori |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/depeche-mode-announce-first-album-in-five-years-memento-mori |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Depeche Mode Reveal New Album 'Memento Mori' and World Tour, Coming in 2023 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/depeche-mode-reveal-new-album-e2-80-98memento-mori-e2-80-99-and-world-tour-coming-in-2023/ar-AA12AMM4 |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref> Gahan and Gore said they would send each other ideas for songs, for example Gahan said, "I played guitar and sort of sang on my iPhone", while Gore "sent it back with his angelic voice."<ref name=":0" /> They also stated that they would be working with [[James Ford (musician)|James Ford]] once again as producer along with [[Marta Salogni]] mixing for the album.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Depeche Mode, Still Mourning, Return With Tour and New Album 'Memento Mori' |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/depeche-mode-still-mourning-return-with-tour-and-new-album-e2-80-98memento-mori-e2-80-99/ar-AA12zVDr |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Depeche Mode Announce New Album Memento Mori and World Tour |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/depeche-mode-announce-album-memento-125622860.html |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=www.yahoo.com |date=4 October 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>