"Violator," the seventh studio album by Depeche Mode, debuted on March 19, 1990, under Mute Records internationally, and Sire and Reprise Records in the United States.
 
Highlighted by the hit singles "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" (both top-10 hits in the UK and US), the album propelled the band to global acclaim, featuring additional singles like "Policy of Truth" and "World in My Eyes." "Violator" soared to number two on the UK Albums Chart and marked the band's first entry into the top 10 of the Billboard 200, peaking at number seven. The album's success was supported by the extensive World Violation Tour.
 
The band's escalating popularity was evident upon "Violator's" release, illustrated by a signing event at a Wherehouse record store in Los Angeles. Originally anticipated to attract only a few thousand fans, the event drew an astonishing 17,000 attendees, prompting security concerns and ultimately forcing the band's early departure to prevent a potential riot. "Violator" also claimed the 17th spot on the Billboard 200 year-end chart of 1990 and became Depeche Mode's first album to achieve platinum status in the United States, selling over a million copies.
The album's triumph broadened the band's audience significantly, setting the stage for their 1993 follow-up, "Songs of Faith and Devotion," which debuted atop the charts in both the US and UK, further solidifying Depeche Mode's status as musical icons.