Absolution

Absolution is the third studio album by the English rock band Muse, released on 15 September 2003 through Taste Media. It was produced by Muse and Rich Costey, with additional production by John Cornfield and Paul Reeve. Costey wanted to give Muse a bigger, more aggressive sound, and Absolution is more polished and direct than Muse's previous albums. It incorporates classical influences, with orchestra on tracks such as "Butterflies and Hurricanes" and "Blackout", and apocalyptic lyrical themes. Most of the album was recorded at Grouse Lodge in County Westmeath, Ireland. Absolution reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. It also produced Muse's first top-ten single, "Time Is Running Out", which reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. As of 2018, it had sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide. A 20th-anniversary reissue with bonus tracks is set for release in November 2023. Recording Muse set aside time to develop their third album, as their previous recording sessions had been rushed. They began work in late 2002 with the producers John Cornfield and Paul Reed at Air Studios, London, where they recorded "Butterflies and Hurricanes" and "Blackout". They were joined there later by the American producer Rich Costey, who produced the rest of the album. Costey had worked with acts Muse admired including Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, and wanted to help them find a bigger, more aggressive sound. According to Costey, Muse wanted to sound like a "colossal, dynamic, epic and powerful rock band".