Absolution (album)

Absolution
The album cover depicts a man holding a gas mask looking above as he stands among the shadows of floating figures.
Studio album by
Released22 September 2003 (2003-09-22)
RecordedSeptember 2002 – June 2003
Studios
Genres
Length52:19
LabelTaste
Producers
Muse chronology
Hullabaloo Soundtrack
(2002)
Absolution
(2003)
Black Holes and Revelations
(2006)
Singles from Absolution
  1. "Stockholm Syndrome"
    Released: 14 July 2003
  2. "Time Is Running Out"
    Released: 8 September 2003
  3. "Hysteria"
    Released: 1 December 2003
  4. "Sing for Absolution"
    Released: 17 May 2004
  5. "Apocalypse Please"
    Released: 23 August 2004
  6. "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
    Released: 20 September 2004

Absolution is the third studio album by the English rock band Muse, released on 22 September 2003 through Taste Media. It was produced by Muse and Rich Costey, with additional production by John Cornfield and Paul Reeve.

Absolution incorporates classical influences, with orchestra on tracks such as "Butterflies and Hurricanes" and "Blackout", and apocalyptic lyrical themes. Muse used effects, synthesisers and software to process many tracks. Most of the album was recorded at Grouse Lodge in County Westmeath, Ireland, with additional sessions at AIR Studios and Livingston Recording Studios in London, Cello Studios in Los Angeles, and Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. Costey aimed to give Muse a bigger, more aggressive sound.

Absolution reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. "Stockholm Syndrome", "Time Is Running Out", "Hysteria" and "Sing for Absolution" were released as commercial singles; "Time Is Running Out" became Muse's first top-ten single on the UK singles chart, reaching number eight. As of 2018, Absolution had sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide. A 20th-anniversary version was released in 2023, with remastered audio, unreleased demos and live tracks.