Depeche Mode hit top spot in 20 countries
11:24 | Friday May 1, 2009

An extensive global launch campaign for Depeche Mode’s 12th studio album has taken the set to number one in 20 countries around the world, outperforming the first week sales of their previous album Playing The Angel.

In a further ten countries, the album reached the top three including their native UK and in the US, where the band’s number three entry was their highest American chart debut since 1993.

Sounds of the Universe is the first to be released globally through EMI following the signing of a new deal between the band and EMI’s Mute label last year. Previously Depeche Mode were with Mute/EMI for the world outside of North America.

The debut comes ahead of a colossal world tour which kicks off in Tel Aviv on May 10 and will continue across, Europe, the US, South America before returning to Europe later this year.

Mute Records Daniel Miller chairman praised the hard work put in by EMI. “The great team effort from everyone in the band, their management led by Jonathan Kessler, Mute and EMI, has enabled us to develop a well-planned and focused campaign and as a result we’re off to a very strong start for Sounds of the Universe.”