Dave Gahan and Martin Gore have “become friends” following the passing of their Depeche Mode bandmate Andy Fletcher.
The duo will release their 15th album ‘Memento Mori’ on March 24 – the follow-up to 2017’s ‘Spirit’ and first under the new line-up.
Speaking to MOJO about their collaboration this time around, Dave admitted things were significantly different as the late musician acted as an intermediary between him and his bandmate.
“Martin had lost his champion – someone who would always fight for Martin,” he explained. “If there was ever a disagreement over a song or a part, Fletch would sit me down and it would be, ‘Fing is, Dave … Martin and I have been talking and …’ I mean, that got really old. Why won’t Martin tell me himself?
“And that’s where we kind of got to on the last record.”
Andy’s death forced the pair to become better at communicating and have a “better friendship” than ever before in their decades-spanning career while recording the LP, featuring lead track Ghosts Again.
“I think Fletch’s presence forced Martin and I to … maybe this is the wrong word, but compete,” Dave added. “And it created a certain atmosphere of being a bit spiky.
“So Martin and I have had to find a different way. We had to find a way of communicating, becoming friends.”
Produced by James Ford, with additional production work by Marta Salogni, ‘Memento Mori’ was born during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, with its themes inspired directly by that period.
According to a press release, the LP charts “a vast expanse of moods and textures, from its ominous opening to its closing resolve — running the gamut from paranoia and obsession to catharsis and joy, and hitting myriad points between”.
In support of the album, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees will begin their ‘Memento Mori’ World Tour with a special, limited series of North American arena dates starting March 23, before the band heads to Europe for their summer stadium tour.
‘Memento Mori’ is out March 24 and available to pre-order now.
