Mode officially in the studio now! (UPDATED)
Or rather, it is now official that Ben Hillier is in the studio, and that Depeche Mode are with him. Go figure! Ben’s UK based management updated the producer’s bio with this tiny little line: [Ben's] now back in the production chair for Depeche Mode following their last collaboration on “Playing The Angel” album”.
Also Ferg Peterkin’s involvement (previously reported on this very site) was confirmed by his management, stating simply that “[Ferg is] currently Stateside with producer Ben Hillier, [...] engineering the new Depeche Mode album”.
Mode begun the second set of sessions for the upcoming album last week, this time in New York. Work begun May 5th in California.
July 15th, 2008 at 16:39
Finally…something!!!!
“it tries my patience”
July 15th, 2008 at 17:23
How many sessions are typically required?
July 15th, 2008 at 20:46
yay! pta was a great album, the live dvd was great but no devotional, too much live drums, dave magical, but voice not as good as on the album. ben hillier will no doubt do a good job, another speaker bustin record!
July 15th, 2008 at 22:02
I hope we get more melody and less annoying cripy sounds…
July 15th, 2008 at 23:10
Come on devotees! it`s great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 16th, 2008 at 0:52
nice
July 16th, 2008 at 1:05
Glad to see they are back in the studio, it’s been a long 2 years since the last of their touring.
Just wonder if it’s true what Fletch said in an interview earlier this year (on youtube) that DM have ‘two more’ albums left before they will call it a day…
I sincerely hope a new age ‘Violator’ will submerge from Mart’s genius.
An unstoppable force… meets an immovable object - that is Depeche Mode. Legends.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:24
Good news PTA best DM album since SOFAD by a mile imo.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:56
why does djzn always have to be negative? I share some criticisms of recent albums but i thought PTA was a step in the right direction and i hope they pull another good album out of the bag.
I understand fletch saying 2 more albums and then they’re done. i’d hate to see Gahan on stage when he’s well in to his 50’s. they should finish with a bang and do one last massive stadium tour and call it a day. They will sell out Wembley easy!!!!
July 16th, 2008 at 13:02
The last 2 albums have had 2 or 3 good tracks but the rest have been very average. And I agree with Alan Wilder that production of albums lacks quality control. With him they sound very average.
July 16th, 2008 at 13:03
Sorry, I meant without him they sound average!
July 16th, 2008 at 14:16
Definately, i’d love to see Vince and Alan back for one reunion tour. If Vince and Alison can bury differences for a Yazoo reunion then I can’t see why Alan can’t bury the hatchet and tour with DM one last time.
I think it would make a tremendous show, have Vince on for the old stuff and Alan on for the stuff up to SOFAD.
We can wish I suppose!
July 16th, 2008 at 15:45
Obviously the lyrical content is very similar to before but the actual music is very limited. Alan was the man behind the music. I think even their fist attempt (Ultra) without him was better than the 2 most recent efforts. A lot of it is just sampled crap. I’m sure Dave and Mart had very little imput into the actual music. His guitar work is fantastic and i think they should use more of it.
July 16th, 2008 at 20:48
wow…
And you’re complaing about PTA being loud? I think you tipped the scales there buddy. Funny, all the distortion and crap that you complained about on PTA…we get to here it from you. Thinking you’re about 120dB..a full +18 over the digital scale (no idea what that is btw). Every thought about reserving judgement on things you havnt even heard?
July 17th, 2008 at 0:27
God I hope the comments on this page are not typical of Depeche fans because when I read them I was thinking to myself ‘Why are these DM haters posting on this site!’ PTA was an awesome album and ranks up there with Violator and SOFAD. I like Exciter when it came out but it’s luster wanned but still I would gladly listen to it any day!
July 17th, 2008 at 0:41
I think we’re all fans… actually two sets of hard core fans. One set of fans will listen to ANYTHING that DM puts out and call it the best thing ever. The other set of fans understand and appreciate the high standard of QUALITY that DM albums used to reflect, but are now upset that the quality is going down the tubes with albums are too loud and flat.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:57
Oh, that´s great! Hillier is fantastic choice…much much better than boring Mark Bell. PTAngel is one of the most DM album ever, energic, agressive.. Depeche Mode forever!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:12
Can’t wait 4 the new album and new tour. Over and out.
July 17th, 2008 at 20:44
Wonderful!
July 18th, 2008 at 1:10
in fact i’d like to see Flood produce the next album (after this one that they are working on of course)!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:37
I want to make something clear that I am not a fan who thinks everything the band puts out is the most wonderful thing; but then neither am I a fan who thinks that the only good things they’ve done is in the past and everything of late is crap. These are the same people who whine that Depeche was only good when Vince and/or Alan was with them. First off, Vince and Alan are never coming back to the group. I love Vince in Yaz but I find that early Erasure saounds very similar to the latest Erasure. And no offense to Alan but if he was the only factor to Violator’s greatness - great, not perfect because I find “Blue Dress” to be tedious but then I feel the same way about “I Feel Loved” and to this day I have to concentrate to tell the difference between “Insight” and “Freestate” - then why do I find his Recoil projects unfathomable. I glad that Depeche has evovled over time because if they were releasing Violator Part 5 I don’t think they would have the fan base that they do. Hell, I remember when SOFAD - another great album - I heard fans say that it sucked and that Violator was too comercial and that their best album was “Some Great Reward” or “Black Celebration.” Now there is nothing wrong with believing those album are their best - after all that’s the joy of music - but if you describe everything else the band has done since then as crap, too loud and horrible production then you’re not a Depeche Mode fan. At best you are a fan of an album or two but more than likely you are a fan of a memory. This is just a hunch but everyone who might be expecting the new album to be Angel Part 2 are going to be disappointed. Fletch has already described Martin’s songs as being unlike anythin he has ever heard from him. And if I like this new direction or not I know that I can’t wait to hear it!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:55
Hey everyone is entitled to an opinion so don’t scorn other opinions. I’m a huge U2 live fan but not a die-hard U2 fan who buys everything they put out. Just like DM, they have a massive live following cos we mainly love their older stuff.
No band can really keep putting out great albums. Generally each new album has 2 or 3 great tracks while the rest are awful. I wish they would go back into the studio and record the album again in the format they played the songs live. Take some of the Exciter tracks for instance like ‘When the Body Speaks’ or ‘Free love’ - much better live than album version.
And one last thing. IN my opinion, Dave should stop some of his antics on stage and concentrate on singing. Stop so many ‘yeahs’,etc.
I think his solo DVD is spoilt by his antics on stage. He has a great voice but its often spoilt by the way he sings.
July 18th, 2008 at 18:09
think that dm are right to use ben h again.He was a step in right direction after a very avarage album in exciter,mybe working with the same producer again will bring the best out in dm,he might get there music and ideas more.i also think martin dont right songs for any one but him self,so they will never be comerical.violator was a one of as was SOFD as was music for masses and exciter.what i would like to see on there next tour is some diffrent songs being played ie from earlyer albums or some good album tracks,not heard for a bit,most people who go to watch dm have been many times befor and prob know most of there tracks any way.enjoy the silence.personal jesus and never let me down are crowd pleasers and will always be played.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:42
Say goodbye to DJZN everybody!
(waves)
Peter
July 19th, 2008 at 15:29
Some really intresting comments on this page.I think every mode album has its own history with song writers leaving and diffferent production. I can honestly say im one of the fans that enjoy everything the mode have done,I have favourites of course and i dont agree with people who say they follow a band on the strenth of there old stuff.DEPECHE MODE for so many reasons are a truly wonderfull group,live you get a great mixture of electronic/rock and heart renching love songs, I like the fact that guitars never dominate any track. I love the mode classics like enjoy the silence and n.l.m.d.a but i feel they should give them a really bid change the next time there performed live ,Maybe a remixed version from the past. I really enjoy daves interplay with cristian live but i feel that it woundnt be a bad thing if cristian sat out a couple of songs and they uped the electronic beats,for example on behind the wheel live drums do not add to the performance a really pulsating electronic mix of that track would go down a storm.Daves communicating with other band members i find really touching the fletch fletcher bit is great and it adds a togetherness.I completely agree about playing some more old stuff i would love to here rush played live maybe like the spiritule mix ,if the want could be fucking amazing as well.Daves voice has changed over the years for sure but when hes doing over a hundred shows it is bound to be strained at times,but when you watch them live you take in the performance as a whole,i have never come away dissapointed,you see the mode live and its hard to shift the smile on your face for days after there just so entertaining.Im from essex where the mode origanate,it would be great if they played a concert at the chelmsford showground where the v festival takes place a really large production with some special guest from the past,in the vain of 101,give the english fans a unique show like our american freinds have exsperenced. i am so exited about this new album and the tour can not come soon enougth.
July 19th, 2008 at 15:31
if you want(sorry i was bieng a bit thick)
July 19th, 2008 at 15:42
being(i really should have gone to school)
July 19th, 2008 at 21:24
ben hillier sucks. the last great dM album was ULTRA.
…
July 19th, 2008 at 23:36
So you’ve heard it already then?
July 20th, 2008 at 14:24
I agree with you a Proper Fan…There’s a history behind eveyrthing, and I love it all…the good and the bad! I’m one of the lucky ones to attend Concert for The Masses at the Rose Bowl, I can only with everyone else has a chance to be a part of the passion and celebration that came out that day. Who knew ‘The Wave’ for NLMD would be born that day. Or better yet, who knew it would rain in thunder on a hot CA day in June during Blasphemas Rumors! I honestly though I dreamt that until about 10 years ago. Then I met someone who was also there and confirmed what I thought was a dream. I can’t wait for their next album, critics are critics. Unfortunately Depeche has some harsh ones who love to voice their opinions,but it is their right. We all know there’s be quality songs, songs that we’ll be singing in the car for months and even years!
July 20th, 2008 at 17:50
No one is saying why the official site http://www.depechemode.com has not said a word of the work that the band is already doing …Anyone can explain…For every album recently, we’ve had updates regularly on their progress…Why not this time??
July 21st, 2008 at 5:56
we want ultra–ultra was the best.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:11
Someone mentioned (in a dreamlike state) that a “reunion tour” with Vince and Alan would be nice - would it, I say? How “Cher” isn’t that? Bloody awful!
Bring on the new album, a new tour containing the present band lineup and let’s be happy about that.
Cheers!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:01
Regarding the official site, obviously a management issue. It has obviously been decided to not to say anything official yet.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:31
I’d expect another PTA-style announcement with the new album, they had all but finished the album before they ‘officially’ announced it on depechemode.com, so I guess they haven’t actually neared the end of completion yet
another “Ultra” would be superb!
July 21st, 2008 at 11:57
I am not appreciative of the official website keeping mum on the new album. It kinda feels like being kept out of the loop. We deserve more. As a devotee, I expect devotion.
July 21st, 2008 at 14:21
It´s gonna be an extremely exciting time!It´s a bit funny what´s going on lately.Bands that got wrecked by the press for over 2 decades are actually in better shape now than they ever were.Now I´m not a classic twat,neither am I world´s freshest teen,but after having seen a lot of concerts over the last 20 years,I´d have to mention that as well Duran,Maiden,the Cure,Saxon and of course Depeche Mode,were,and still are amongst the best we´ve ever witnessed live,and in the studio.They stand for something,there´s idealism over cash,and we might as well be thanking on our bare knees,that they still exist,for god´s sake.I am therefore absolutely convinced,that the new album,and possibly another extensive tour,will again,slam everyone in the face.It´s still them,now becoming well respected veterans,who show everybody out there “how to do it properly”!So I wouldn´t worry too much,because as I mentioned,it´s gonna be an extremely exiting time!
July 21st, 2008 at 14:43
Sat next to Martin at Yaz on Saturday night here in NY. He was chatting with Ben Hillier. I spoke with both of them. They couldn’t have been nicer…
July 21st, 2008 at 19:09
Scout says:
“I am not appreciative of the official website keeping mum on the new album. It kinda feels like being kept out of the loop. We deserve more. As a devotee, I expect devotion.”
You can have all the devotion in the world here at Home
July 22nd, 2008 at 0:57
depechemode.com can’t make a move without management’s approval. This makes me hope/think there’s a big surprise. this isn’t the norm, there would be a studio greeting by now. but the site is also denying nothing so that is good.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:15
Suspectful,
Assuming that they stick to the same 6-disc format for boxsets 7 & 8, don’t you think they’d wait a little longer than March 9th to release them given that they need 3 more singles (including the one you mentioned) to complete boxset no. 8? Even if they did have the 3 singles by March 9th, wouldn’t they usually wait quite a bit of time (at least a year or two) between the release of the singles and compiling them in the boxset?
Where’d you get your info? It seems…well…suspect (pardon the pun).
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:34
Scout, not sure if you are actually a member of thr forum, but one or two reasons have been discussed as to why the band and management maybe haven’t announced anything official yet.
Although, to be fair, what is there really to report? The band are in the studio? That is pretty common knowledge now anyway.
And no disrespect to suspectful, if you learn to read, you might even be able to see Ben Hilliers site where it states quite clearly that Ben Hillier is working on the NEW DM album now.
Is that speculation?
Regarding the box sets, where did Box number 6 finish? With Dream On? So, considering they have 6 singles per box and the fact that they have not released 12 singles since, I think you are wrong.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:45
to suspectful: sorry but your post about “new releases” is nonsense. Probably is it joke, isn´t?
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:17
to Suspectful,:
btw. Brat (dm.com webmaster) never denied that dm are in studio right now..so be patiently
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:44
Direct download album.
When Radiohead did it everyone was going crazy waiting for the release which was a few months away. Then all of a sudden you go to their site and it tells you it’s out in 10 days.
When NIN did it they surprised the fans with streaming versions before it came out, then with some later ones they just said SURPRISE THERE’S FREE MUSIC ON OUR WEB SITE…
Two possibilities: a viral DM album,….. or maybe they’re just chit chatting about ideas and leaving retirement on the table and they don’t want to devastate the fans too much with the added disappointment..
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:48
Very nice!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 16:44
Im sure there will be a new dm album and tour nxt year.whatever it sounds like im sure a lot of hard work would of been put into it.also as for the next tour.id like to hear old songs played like “stripped” “halo” fly on the widnscreen” “people are people” and songs they havent played live before like “freestate” “lilian” i think theres only so many live versions of personal jesus and enjoy the silence they can do live.but whatever they play im sure it will be a great performance..any other song ideas for the next tour.im sure the band will be reading this at some point
July 22nd, 2008 at 18:34
a PTA mark2 would be nice as you could onlt get 1 decent album(if that) out of ultra and exciter combined,as for a tour? opening track a revamped mordern extended version of my seceret garden,finishing in its no good…any ideas for opening/finishing track…..
July 22nd, 2008 at 19:15
@suspectful:
You are of course absolutely right. We’ve made it all up. We even got Ben Hillier’s management to confirm it JUST FOR LAUGHS!!
Isn’t it a great joke?
Now fuck off!
July 22nd, 2008 at 20:04
If there is any uk or world wide dm fans that wld like to chat then email me at saint15@o2.co.uk Im steve im 31 and a huge depeche fan from wigan northwest united kingdom
July 22nd, 2008 at 21:57
Suspectful, you have to appreciate that I personally don’t give a lot of credibility to what you’re saying; in fact, I suspect that you’re actually just a troll named “djzn” that’s been acting like an ass here who’s simply renamed yourself. It’s nothing personal, that’s just the basic fact.
I trust the people who run this site because they seem to be decent and ethical people (after all, you don’t keep a successful website running for years by being an untrustworthy dick), and, generally speaking, their news on the band is spot on.
July 22nd, 2008 at 22:02
I thought the best of volume1 had nothing to do with depeche mode themselves they had no intention of releasing another best of album.it was mute and daniel millers idea to release it and the band just went along with it.i cant really see the band releasing another best of volume2 at any time in the near future.as for maytre it was just a track that was never used on the last album.i cant see the band going into the studio just to record a few tracks for another best of album..and wot would be the track list for volume2.they have already been there and done that,why repeat it again..
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:13
What Wilder did with Martin’s songs toghter with Daves performance was Depeche Mode. What’s left today is just Martin’s pop-band trying to be “inovative” with people like Ben and his likes. You’v eheard the results. Now the guy is back. I CAN wait for Playing The Angel 2.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:14
As I have said before (and keep saying countless times - for some deaf folks I suppose), whatever news regarding any future Depeche Mode release will be announced within the official Depeche Mode website first.
You may disconsider any information that does not come from the official source even if it has been partially announced or rumoured on any music producer’s webpage. How can I make this even clearer?
-BRAT
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:19
Lillian would be awsome live..and maybe some tracks from ultra like “sister of night”,”freestate” and martins “the bottom line” i dought dm will ever play the older stuff again.like master and servant ,people are people. But then again dm are always full of suprises..like i said in my last post i would love to see “stripped” performed live again. Maybe dave feels hes unable to sing the old songs again as its changed over the last few albums.and just wants to concentrate on the newer songs.even martin has started to sing some of daves songs like shake the desease which i thought he sang like an angel,even condemnation.i hope this isnt going to become a regular live thing for martin even if he does sing them with passion.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:04
Brat wrote:
“You may disconsider any information that does not come from the official source even if it has been partially announced or rumoured on any music producer’s webpage. How can I make this even clearer?”
OK, but what (in the unlikely event) if I accidentally bump into the band and Ben Hillier on the street one day, and, in the course of my chat with them, they reveal that they’re in the studio working on a new album? I’m not going to disregard this information because it hasn’t yet been announced on the official site, right? The official website serves an important PR function and is obviously an accurate source of information (well…besides the April Fools jokes!) given that the news comes from the management itself. But it doesn’t have a *monopoly* on information about upcoming releases and what the band are currently up to. Over the years the official website is usually the *last* place I find out about different DM related news-bits, but that’s something I find perfectly acceptable because I appreciate and understand the role of the official website. I don’t think you should overcompensate for all of the idiots out there that don’t understand this by basically telling everybody to disregard all sources of information except the official website.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:13
‘What Wilder did with Martin’s songs toghter with Daves performance was Depeche Mode. What’s left today is just Martin’s pop-band trying to be “inovative” with people like Ben and his likes. You’v eheard the results. Now the guy is back. I CAN wait for Playing The Angel 2.’
Thats a fair comment, we are all entitled to opinions.
I am of the opinion that Alan Wilder needs Martin Gores songs and Dave Gahans vocals more if his last 3 albums are anything to go by.
But as I said, we are all entitled to opinions and not everything he did with Depeche Mode was great. They made some howlers in their time together, so please, don’t put Mr Wilder on some massive pedestal.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:40
Wow, there are some really dumb comments here. We’re disabling comments until further notice on this thing. Some (and I stress “some” - it’s a loud minority) simply don’t have the foggiest clue!!
FACT: Depeche are working on a new album!
FACT: Ben Hillier is producing it!
FACT: They’ve been recording in California and New York
Our sources are our business… suffice to say, some of them are working on a new record these days.
If you want official, sanctioned by the Management news, then go to their site. If you want to know what’s going on before then, stay tuned right here.