Dave Gahan belting out lyrics. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The  multi-talented Martin Gore. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro) — The multi-talented Martin Gore. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Synth legend Mr. Andrew Fletcher. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The Pepsi Center was full of nostalgia this past Saturday as a sold out crowd welcomed music pioneers Depeche Mode. Just like a fine wine the band has found themselves in a rejuvenated state on their current tour. This was stop number two on the Globa Spirit Tour. Often times it takes a band three to four shows to shake off any nervousness or uneasiness. As much experience as they have as a collective they managed to control much of the emotions during the first few songs. Known as pioneers in the new wave or electro-pop scene the band has managed to provide us with music that has left us always wanting more. Led by the trio of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher the band has always maintained a consistent sound that sounds as amazing today as it did twenty five years ago. The same raspiness and electric stage presence of Gahan backed by the blissful guitar play of Gore and mind numbing synth effects of Fletcher had us singing along to classics such as "Barrel Of A Gun", "World In My Eyes", "Enjoy The Silence", and "Personal Jesus". Mix in some new material and subtle effective production, the show never lost a beat. Even when it was time to slow things down with Gore taking lead vocals on songs such as "Somebody", the audience used the slower paced ballad to catch their breath for a grand finale. The Spirit Tour has just gotten started and we highly suggest taking it for a joy ride when it hits your town.

Words and Images: Robert Castro

Depeche Mode (Photo Credit: Anton Corbijn)

First teased by Depeche Mode during their highly viewed press conference in Milan this past fall, “Where’s The Revolution” is the first new music from the band in four years and the first offering from their upcoming album, Spirit. Available now for preorder, Spirit will be released digitally and physically worldwide as a standard 12 track album on March 17th on Columbia Records. The band will also release a 2-CD Deluxe version of the album featuring a special 28-page booklet of exclusive artwork and photos, along with 5 remixes created by Depeche Mode, Matrixxman and Kurt Uenala, collectively entitled the ‘Jungle Spirit Mixes’. The vinyl version of Spirit will be released on two 180 gram LPs, featuring the standard album and a special SPIRIT etching on the 4th side. All artwork and photographs accompanying the album are by Depeche Mode’s longtime creative collaborator and renowned filmmaker Anton Corbijn.

Pre-order Spirit from digital retailers here: smarturl.it/Spirit

Spirit marks the band’s first collaboration with producer James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco (Foals, Florence & The Machine, Arctic Monkeys) and serves as the follow up to the band’s blockbuster 2013 album Delta Machine which debuted at #1 in 12 countries. The album has already garnered critical acclaim in early previews, with Q Magazine calling Spirit “the most energized Depeche Mode album in years”.

Says Gahan of the release, "We are exceptionally proud of Spirit, and we look forward to sharing it with everyone. With James Ford and the rest of the production team, we've made an album that I believe is truly powerful, both in its sound and its message."

Depeche Mode will support the release of the LP with an extensive world tour, giving both new and lifelong fans alike a chance to experience the band’s stunning live shows. The first leg of the Global Spirit Tour, on sale now, will see the band play to over 1.5 million fans at 34 shows in 21 countries throughout Europe. The tour kicks off May 5th in Stockholm, Sweden and will stop at stadiums across Europe before continuing beyond summer with shows in North and South America. For the full summer tour schedule and to sign up to receive announcements about upcoming tour dates, please visit www.depechemode.com.