1986's 'Black Celebration' with its dark and cynical invitation "Let's have a black celebration....to celebrate the fact that we've seen the back of another black day" saw the group's popularity grow in Europe and in America..

By comparison, the English press seemed steadfast in it's refusal to forgive Depeche Mode for 'Just Can't Get Enough' and their New Romantic associations. In spite of numerous past hits, current success with 'Stripped' and the promise of many to come, they continued to play the band and their music down.

For example, despite being at least as successful as their contemporaries such as Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, the Mode were not invited to events like Bob Geldof's Live Aid concert and the Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' which featured all the major musicians of the time.

Ironically however, this was to be to Depeche Mode's advantage. By staying out of the limelight and refusing to court the vultures of the press, they were building a fan-base as belligerent as themselves, who would remain faithful to the death.