Absolution (album)

Absolution is the third studio album by the English rock band Muse, released on 15 September 2003 in Japan before releasing in the UK on 22 September 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.