TWENTY-five years on from their conception and a lifetime away from lead singer Dave Gahan's near-death experience from drug excesses in the early 90s, one of the nation's original stadium bands are back.
Recorded in Santa Barbara, New York and London, Playing The Angel opens in true Depeche Mode style with the dark, brooding A Pain That I'm Used To, its introduction being a niggling industrial claxon-sound.
Laden with electronic bleeps and a futuristic sound, John The Revelator is another high point, with its echoes of Mode classic Personal Jesus.
Meanwhile, the fragile, pulsating rhythm of new single Precious is reminiscent of early-era Mode - its top 10 placing evidence there is still room in the playground of the music scene for the older boys to join in with the fun and games.
JOBY MULLENS
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