EMI to release Depeche Mode disc

Band leaves Warner Music for 12th album

By PHIL GALLO

Depeche Mode's 12th album, set for release April 21, will go through EMI in the U.S. after 27 years of being with Warner Music. Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher are in New York working on the album.

They are making the switch Stateside without changing labels. Band has been signed to Mute since 1981, which had Warner as its distributor in the U.S. EMI distributes Mute globally and will, for the first time, have a worldwide deal with Depeche Mode.

Band will perform in stadiums during the European leg of its Tour of the Universe 2009, in which they will play 28 cities in 21 countries. Tour kicks off in Israel on May 10.