Absolution

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. 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, 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 versions.