Last week, Depeche Mode fans became excited when the band deleted all of the posts on their Instagram account and added a week-long countdown with the caption “time is fleeting, see what it brings.”
Depeche Mode LIVE | Photo by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
That countdown is over and now we know what we were waiting for: “Ghosts Again,” the first single from the band’s upcoming album, “Memento Mori.” The single will be released on February 9th at 8 a.m. (Pacific Time).
Of course, fans have been on high alert since the October press conference where Dave Gahan and Martin Gore announced “Memento Mori” and a world tour.
Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album – their first since the passing of founding member Andrew Fletcher – is expected to drop March 17th. The album was produced by James Ford (who also produced their previous album, “Spirit”) and Marta Salogni.
Earlier this week, longtime Depeche Mode video director and visual collaborator, Anton Corbijn, let it slip – accidentally or on purpose? – during an interview with Collider that he had already filmed the video for “Ghosts Again.”
Collider: You mentioned at the beginning some of the music videos you’ve done. If someone has not seen any of the music videos, is there one you want them to start with, or two?
Corbijn: The new one with Depeche Mode that comes out in February.
Collider: Oh you’ve already shot this. For which song?
Corbijn: It’s called “Ghosts Again.”
There have also been sightings of a pair of angel wings painted on a wall in Los Angeles that match angel wings in the band’s Instagram VR.
While doing press after the October announcement, Gahan explained “Memento Mori” is Latin for “remember that you must die.” This title was decided while Fletcher was still alive and is a reminder to “live each day to the max,” per Gahan.
The Memento Mori World Tour will begin with a short North American arena circuit, which includes a stop at Kia Forum in Los Angeles on March 28th, then heads to Europe for summer stadium dates. All signs point to them returning to North America for a more extensive schedule. This is Depeche Mode’s first tour in five years.
Gahan said they are working on a concert tribute to Fletcher: “We have some thoughts. He’ll be there… judging us,” he joked.
