Ned Raggett's review: "Goth without ever being stupidly hammy, synth without sounding like the clinical stereotype of synth music, rock without ever sounding like a "rock" band, Depeche here reached astounding heights indeed." 4.5 stars.

CMJ review: "Violator is a disturbing album of uncertain happiness and certain gloom."

Chuck Eddy's review: "Depeche Mode has got a way with cute little mechanized blips, and the train whistles and raga rhythms and air-traffic-control signals put monotony on hold." 2 stars.