Paper Monsters hits shelves June 3 – just ahead of Gahan’s first tour date in Zurich. After a run around Europe – including stops in Eastern Europe and Russia – he’ll jet over to North America for a six-week-long outing starting mid-July.

Depeche Mode were last out on the road with their Exciter Tour in 2001. Although the band remains together, two members – Martin Gore and Gahan – have splintered off with their own side projects for the time being.

Among other firsts for Gahan, Paper Monsters marks his debut as a full-fledged songwriter – and he’s quite pleased about it.

“What really hit me most was how happy and fulfilled it made me feel,” Gahan said. “I wanted to hear something that makes me feel good. That’s been the train of thought throughout this record.”