Slicing Up Eyeballs announced that Depeche Mode has released  a new song off their upcoming album (due sometime in 2013). You can preview the new track (tentatively called “Angel Of Love“) in the clip below.

They also posted an article where band members  Dave Gahan and Martin Gore discuss the new album, mentioning it sounds like a fusion of “Violator” and “Songs Of Faith And Devotion“.

Fans always hedge their bets when a band says their new release will sound akin to their best-selling and groundbreaking album (“Violator“), and given fan’s mixed reaction to “Songs” it’ll be interesting to see what the final album sounds like in comparison.

But I’m not one of those fans who still bemoan the departure of Alan Wilder, and say that every release without his involvement sucks (although it would be exciting to see him return). “Ultra” is an underrated masterpiece, and I think “Playing The Angel” and “Sounds Of The Universe” both had strong material (“Exciter” remains a mixed bag).

The new song sounds very SOFAD to me, and not sure about Gahan’s ragged vocals. Also unclear whether Gore or Gahan (who has been writing a few of the songs off the last 2 releases) wrote the lyrics , but it sounds like their standard issue ultra-dark romantic vibe. What do you think? Sound off below.

*Also, if you haven’t heard their recent version of U2‘s “So Cruel” from the ‘Achtung Baby’ cover album, check it out in iTunes by clicking here. It’s amazing.

And for those getting ready to get hitched check out my Rock Wedding Playlist, which features lots of classic Depeche Mode songs.