Violator

Description

Released on March 19, 1990, Violator is THE unanimously recognized peak of Depeche Mode, whether by fans or critics. It offers the listener everything that makes up the band’s musical universe: heavy, weighty atmospheres, phenomenal synths blending noises and sounds in support of Dave Gahan’s dark voice, all on compositions by Martin Gore. With only nine tracks, Depeche Mode plunges us into a dark atmosphere. Four of these songs would become worldwide hits, true musical anthems: “World in my eyes”, “Personal Jesus”, “Enjoy the silence”, and “Policy of truth”. “Personal Jesus”, THE cult hit, the first single released in August 1989, kicks things off. Harder, more rock-oriented, this track with its unsettling rhythm appears on the album after “World in my eyes”, with its rhythmic and touching melody, and “Sweetest perfection”. The latter has the distinction of being performed by Martin Gore: without a musical intro, his deep voice seems shaken by “metallic” and symphonic-electronic passages, thus giving it a slightly grating edge. “Enjoy the silence”, the second single to precede the album, achieved undeniable success with its rhythmic melody made weighty by Dave Gahan’s voice, and even enjoyed a second life in 2004 with the release of Remixes 81>04. It is followed by “Policy of truth”, another catchy hit with its electric and metallic sounds. The other songs such as “Halo”, “Blue dress” or “Clean” confirm Depeche Mode’s new musical imprint, with multiplied electronic effects and rock arrangements. “Waiting for the night” also gives us a few chills with the Dave/Martin vocal duo, both of whom plunge us into a feeling of fragility and vulnerability that is quite unexpected. Violator is a symbol of change, of coming of age. Health problems, marital problems, drug addiction, all of this is found on this album, the first by Depeche Mode that can moreover be considered truly autobiographical.