Few synth-pop bands were as dark and subversive as Depeche Mode during its heyday.

The enigmatic British act was one of the finer singles acts of the 1980s. For every innocuous hit, such as “Enjoy the Silence,” there was the catchy but sinister “Blasphemous Rumours” or the ode to greed “Everything Counts.”

There are a couple of refreshingly dark tunes on “Delta Machine,” Depeche Mode’s latest album, which dropped in March.

Keyboardist Martin Gore’s “Slow,” “The Child Inside” and “Alone” have that familiar creepiness. There’s the catchiness, which has permeated much of the band’s canon and there’s a spark that hasn’t been felt since 1990’s “Violator.”

“There was a feel this time that was different,” vocalist Dave Gahan says from Austin. “It was kind of exciting and fresh. The songs really came flowing out. Everything fell into place. We went to Martin’s place and listened to the songs. Martin’s demos were so well produced. He really worked hard and it was just, like, ‘I’ll go sing on them.’ ”

The band sounds revitalized throughout the dark “Delta Machine.” It played an inspired but abbreviated set at South By Southwest in Austin five months ago. Depeche Mode mixed the new with its standards during its 10-song set.

Expect the band to double that total when it performs Friday at Revel. The veteran act has been mixing up its set list throughout its tour.

“It’s difficult to put one (set list) together,” Gahan says. “There’s so many tracks and so many classics. I think we whittle it down to a really good set. I think people are going to be surprised and delighted.”

It’s a healthy bet that Depeche Mode fans, who are an ardent lot, will be pleased no matter what the band offers in Atlantic City. They’re just thrilled the band is back together. After all, the group’s future seemed uncertain after it put 2009’s “Sounds of the Universe” to bed.

Depeche Mode took a break to focus on other projects, such as VCMG (former Depeche Mode keyboardist Vince Clarke and Martin Gore) and Gahan’s Soulsavers.

“It was a healthy thing for us,” Gahan says. “We needed to focus on other things and it’s helped immensely. After ‘Sounds of the Universe,’ we were all exhausted.

“I find that working with other people outside has strengthened things with us in Depeche Mode. It was good to get back with this (group). It was productive and I think it’ll stay that way for the future.”