Muse (band)

The members of Muse played in separate school bands during their time at Teignmouth Community College in the early 1990s. Guitarist Matt Bellamy successfully auditioned for drummer Dominic Howard's band, Carnage Mayhem, becoming its singer and songwriter. They renamed the band Gothic Plague. They asked Chris Wolstenholme – at that time the drummer for Fixed Penalty – to join as bassist; he agreed and took up bass lessons.{{Cite book |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |last=Buckley |first=Peter |date=17 November 2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=1843531054 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse }}International who's who in popular music, Volume 4 p.37. Routledge, 2002 The band was renamed Rocket Baby Dolls and adopted a goth-glam image. Around this time, they received a £150 grant from the Prince's Trust for equipment.Jools Holland interview, 10 October 2018

In 1994, Rocket Baby Dolls won a local battle of the bands, smashing their equipment in the process.{{Cite web |url=http://www.feelnumb.com/2016/01/22/rocket-baby-dolls-muse-original-band-name-battle-of-the-bands/ |title=Watch "Rocket Baby Dolls" Later Known As Muse Win Battle of the Bands 1994 |website=feelnumb |date=22 January 2016 |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129231729/http://www.feelnumb.com/2016/01/22/rocket-baby-dolls-muse-original-band-name-battle-of-the-bands/ |url-status=dead }} Bellamy said, "It was supposed to be a protest, a statement, so, when we actually won, it was a real shock, a massive shock. After that, we started taking ourselves seriously." The band quit their jobs, changed their name to Muse, and moved away from Teignmouth.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tastemedia.com/muse/musebiog.html |title=Muse Biography |website=Artists |publisher=Taste Music |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021208040122/http://www.tastemedia.com/muse/musebiog.html |archive-date=8 December 2002}} The band liked that the new name was short and thought that it looked good on a poster.{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8176141/Muse-profile-of-the-band.html |title=Muse: Profile of the Band |website=The Telegraph |date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185130/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8176141/Muse-profile-of-the-band.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=17 June 2015}} According to journalist Mark Beaumont, the band wanted the name to reflect "the sense Matt had that he had somehow 'summoned up' this band, the way mediums could summon up inspirational spirits at times of emotional need".Mark Beaumont (2010). "Out of This World: The Story of Muse". Omnibus Press, 2010

{{Main|Showbiz (Muse album)|Origin of Symmetry|Hullabaloo Soundtrack}}

File:Muse logo.svg in 1998]]

After a few years building a fanbase, Muse played their first gigs in London and Manchester supporting Skunk Anansie on tour. They had a significant meeting with Dennis Smith, the owner of Sawmills Studio, situated in a converted water mill in Cornwall. He had seen the three boys grow up as he knew their parents, and had a production company with their future manager Safta Jaffery, with whom he had recently started the record label Taste Media.{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Safta_Jaffery_Interview.html |title=Interview with Safta Jaffery, manager for Muse |publisher=HitQuarters |access-date=3 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420051919/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_Safta_Jaffery_Interview.html |archive-date=20 April 2014 |url-status=dead }} The meeting led to their first serious recordings and the release of the Muse EP on 11 May 1998 on Sawmills' in-house Dangerous label, produced by Paul Reeve.Ben Myers (2007). "Muse: Inside the Muscle Museum". p. 58. Random House, Their second EP, the Muscle Museum EP, also produced by Reeve, was released on 11 January 1999. It reached number 3 in the indie singles chart and attracted the attention of the radio broadcaster Steve Lamacq and the magazine NME.{{citation |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Beaumont (journalist) |date=8 October 2008 |title=Out of This World: The Story of Muse |publisher=Omnibus Press |page=57 |location=London, England |isbn=978-1847723772 }}

Later in 1999, Muse performed on the Emerging Artist's stage at Woodstock '99 and signed with Smith and Jaffery. Despite the success of their second EP, British record companies were reluctant to sign Muse. After a trip to New York's CMJ Festival, Nanci Walker, then Sr. Director of A&R at Columbia Records, flew Muse to the US to showcase for Columbia Records' then-Senior Vice-president of A&R, Tim Devine, as well as for American Recording's Rick Rubin. During this trip, on 24 December 1998, Muse signed a deal with American record label Maverick Records.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ticketmaster.ie/artist/944747 |title=Muse biography |website=Ticketmaster |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420013322/http://www.ticketmaster.ie/artist/944747 |archive-date=20 April 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=2 May 2008 }} Upon their return to England, Taste Media arranged deals for Muse with various record labels in Europe and Australia, allowing them control over their career in individual countries.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA96 |title=Billboard 28 August 1999 |date=28 August 1999 |access-date=28 September 2014}} John Leckie was brought in alongside Reeve to produce the band's first album, Showbiz (1999). The album showcased Muse's aggressive yet melancholic musical style, with lyrics about relationships and their difficulties trying to establish themselves in their hometown.Showbiz. Kerrang Review, 1999

File:Muse at Roskilde Festival 2000.jpg in Denmark, July 2000]]

During the production of their second album, Origin of Symmetry (2001), Muse experimented with instrumentation such as a church organ, Mellotron, animal bones, and an expanded drum kit. There was more of Bellamy's falsetto, arpeggiated guitar, and piano playing. Bellamy cites guitar influences such as Jimi Hendrix and Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine), the latter evident in the more riff-based songs in Origin of Symmetry and in Bellamy's use of guitar pitch-shifting effects. The album features a cover of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse's "Feeling Good",{{Cite news |url=http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/06242003-nme_article.php |title=NME article |work=NME |access-date=19 January 2008 |date=June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202095535/http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/06242003-nme_article.php |archive-date=2 February 2008 |url-status=dead }} voted in various polls one of the greatest cover versions of all time.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.totalguitar.co.uk/page/totalguitar?entry=tg_s_best_covers_ever |title=TG's Best Covers EVER! |date=23 June 2008 |magazine=Total Guitar |access-date=16 October 2008}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/53090 |title=Muse beat The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash to win best cover song of all time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104211343/http://www.nme.com/news/muse/53090 |archive-date=4 January 2016 |website=NME |date=22 September 2010}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29791820 |title=Pet Shop Boys' Always On My Mind tops cover version vote |date=27 October 2014 |work=BBC News |access-date=28 October 2014}} It was released as a double A-side single, "Hyper Music/Feeling Good".

Origin of Symmetry received positive reviews. NME gave it 9/10 and wrote: "It's amazing for such a young band to load up with a heritage that includes the darker visions of Cobain and Kafka, Mahler and the Tiger Lillies, Cronenberg and Schoenberg, and make a sexy, populist album."{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/muse/5220 |title=Origin of Symmetry – Review |last=Morton |first=Roger |website=NME |date=12 September 2005 |access-date=4 May 2008}} Maverick, Muse's American label, did not consider Bellamy's vocals "radio-friendly" and asked Muse to rerecord "Plug in Baby" for the US release. Muse refused and left Maverick. Origin of Symmetry was not released in the US until September 2005, after Muse signed to Warner Bros.{{Cite magazine |last=Marchese |first=David |date=September 2009 |title=Pomp and Circumstance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1wIe3FI6TI0C&pg=PA53 |access-date=28 September 2014 |magazine=Spin}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KisEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 |title=Dark Matter |publisher=CMJ |magazine=New Music Monthly |year=2003 |issue=123/124 |access-date=28 September 2014}}

Origin of Symmetry has made appearances on lists of the greatest rock albums of the 2000s, both poll-based and on publication lists. In 2006, it placed at number 74 on Q magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of All-Time,{{cite web|url=http://www.timepieces.nl/Top100's/2006Qreaders.html|title=Q Greatest Albums of All Time|access-date=12 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020204335/http://www.timepieces.nl/Top100's/2006Qreaders.html|archive-date=20 October 2011}} while in February 2008, the album placed at number 28 on a list of the Best British Albums of All Time determined by the magazine's readers. Kerrang! placed the album at number 20 in its 100 Best British Rock Albums Ever! List and at number 13 on its 50 Best Albums of the 21st Century list.{{cite magazine|title=Muse Message Board Lists|magazine=Kerrang!|url=http://board.muse.mu/archive/index.php/t-63823.html|access-date=2012-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329012431/http://board.muse.mu/archive/index.php/t-63823.html|archive-date=29 March 2012|url-status=dead}}

On 10 November 2001 the band appeared on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland and performed "Hyper Music" and "Feeling Good".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06mdl3j|title=BBC Two - Later... with Jools Holland, Muse - Feeling Good (Later Archive 2001)|date=28 September 2018|website=BBC}}

In 2002, Muse released the first live DVD, Hullabaloo, featuring footage recorded during Muse's two gigs at Le Zenith in Paris in 2001, and a documentary film of the band on tour. A double album, Hullabaloo Soundtrack, was released at the same time, containing a compilation of B-sides and a disc of recordings of songs from the Le Zenith performances. A double-A side single was also released featuring the new songs "In Your World" and "Dead Star".

In 2002, Muse threatened Celine Dion with legal action when she planned to name her Las Vegas show "Muse", as Muse had worldwide performing rights to the name. Muse refused an offer from Dion of $50,000 for the rights, as they feared it could harm their chances of breaking into the US market. Bellamy said: "We don't want to turn up there with people thinking we're Celine Dion's backing band."{{cite news |date=18 October 2002 |title=Band muses on Dion name victory |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2339585.stm |access-date=19 January 2008}}

{{Main|Absolution (Muse album)|Black Holes and Revelations|HAARP (album)}}

File:MuseToronto2004-1.JPG, Toronto in 2004. The international Absolution tour included the band's first shows in North America since 1999.]]

Muse's third album, Absolution, produced by Rich Costey, Paul Reeve and John Cornfield was released on 15 September 2003. It debuted at number one in the UK{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57886/lily-allen-muse-soar-to-no-1-on-uk-charts |title=Lily Allen, Muse Soar To No. 1 On U.K. Charts |date=10 July 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 September 2014}} and produced Muse's first top-ten hit, "Time Is Running Out", and three top-twenty hits: "Hysteria", "Sing for Absolution" and "Butterflies and Hurricanes". Absolution was eventually certified gold in the US.{{Cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=muse#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum Search Results |website=RIAA |access-date=27 May 2018}} Muse undertook a year-long international tour in support of the album, visiting Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and France. On the 2004 US leg of the tour, Bellamy injured himself onstage during the opening show in Atlanta;{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3625153.stm |title=Muse singer hurt during US show |date=14 April 2004 |access-date=27 January 2008 |work=BBC News}} the tour resumed after Bellamy received stitches.{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/3307124/We-take-a-juicer-on-tour.html |title=We take a juicer on tour |website=Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327173242/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/3307124/We-take-a-juicer-on-tour.html |archive-date=27 March 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=17 June 2015}}

In June 2004, Muse headlined the Glastonbury Festival, which they later described as "the best gig of our lives".{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.tv/mtv.tv/dynamo/shells/other_music.jhtml?article=80134066 |title=Artist of the week |date=June 2004 |website=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215062626/http://www.mtv.tv/mtv.tv/dynamo/shells/other_music.jhtml?article=80134066 |archive-date=15 December 2007}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/28961 |title=Muse: Road To Wembley Part 4 – Glastonbury, triumph and tragedy |date=14 June 2007 |website=NME |location=UK |access-date=27 January 2008}} Howard's father, William Howard, who attended the festival to watch the band, died from a heart attack shortly after the performance. Bellamy said: "It was the biggest feeling of achievement we've ever had after coming offstage. It was almost surreal that an hour later his dad died. It was almost not believable. We spent about a week sort of just with Dom trying to support him. I think he was happy that at least his dad got to see him at probably what was the finest moment so far of the band's life."{{Cite web |url=http://www.microcuts.net/uk/biography/ |title=muse: biography |publisher=microcuts.net |access-date=4 August 2007}}

Muse won two MTV Europe awards, including "Best Alternative Act", and a Q Award for "Best Live Act",Billboard, 4 December 2004' and received an award for "Best British Live Act" at the Brit Awards.International Who's Who in Popular Music 2008 p.561 Taylor and Francis, 2008 On 2 July 2005, they participated in the Live 8 concert in Paris.{{Cite web |url=http://www.live8live.com/theconcerts/ |title=LIVE 8 Concerts – Live 8 |date=2 July 2005 |publisher=Live8live.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401073017/http://www.live8live.com/theconcerts/ |archive-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=3 September 2010 }} In 2003, the band successfully sued Nestlé for using their cover "Feeling Good" for a Nescafé advertisement without permission and donated the money won from the lawsuit to Oxfam.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/photos/76197/11/muse-call-35m-lawsuit-complete-nonsense |title=Muse call $3.5 million lawsuit complete nonsense |website=Gigwise |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129175426/http://www.gigwise.com/photos/76197/11/muse-call-35m-lawsuit-complete-nonsense |archive-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=17 June 2015}} An unofficial DVD biography, Manic Depression, was released in April 2005.{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Manic-Depression-Muse/dp/B0007WQHJE |title=Manic depression |website=Amazon |date=19 April 2005 |access-date=2 April 2008}}

Muse released another live DVD on 12 December 2005, Absolution Tour, containing edited and remastered highlights from their Glastonbury performance unseen footage from their performances at London Earls Court, Wembley Arena, and the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.

{{see also|Black Holes and Revelations Tour}}

File:Muse playing Starlight at Leeds Festival 2006.jpg" at Reading and Leeds Festivals on 28 August 2006]]

In 2006, Muse released their fourth album, Black Holes and Revelations, co-produced once again with Rich Costey. The album's title and themes reflect the band's interest in science fiction.{{Cite web |url=http://www.popworld.com/pages/muse_interview |title=Kate Moss? We briefly met once |website=Popworld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224080238/http://www.popworld.com/pages/muse_interview |archive-date=24 December 2007}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/muse-black-holes-revelations-2495683520.html |title=Muse: Black Holes & Revelations |last=Raper |first=Dan |date=18 July 2006 |website=Pop Matters |access-date=24 January 2008}} The album charted at number one in the UK, much of Europe, and Australia.{{Cite web |url=https://acharts.co/album/14489 |title=Black Holes and Revelations by Muse |website=αCharts |access-date=27 January 2008}}{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |date=2006 |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |location=London |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited}}{{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |date=1993 |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=St Ives, N.S.W.}} In the US, it reached number nine on the Billboard 200.

Before the release of the new album, Muse made several promotional TV appearances starting on 13 May 2006 at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. The Black Holes and Revelations Tour started before the release of their album and initially consisted mostly of festival appearances, including a headline slot at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2006/ |title=Tour Dates Archive: 2006 |website=Muse |access-date=28 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528134130/http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2006/ |archive-date=28 May 2018 |url-status=dead}} The band's main touring itinerary started with a tour of North America from late July to early August 2006. After the last of the summer festivals, a tour of Europe began, including a large arena tour of the UK. Muse recruited an additional touring member, Morgan Nicholls, on keyboards, percussion and guitar. He performed with them until 2022.{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=2022-05-11 |title=Muse recruit Bring Me the Horizon collaborator Dan Lancaster for live band |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-recruit-bring-me-the-horizon-collaborator-dan-lancaster-for-live-band-3223091 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

Black Holes and Revelations was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize, but lost to Arctic Monkeys.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/arctic-monkeys-523-1356678 |title=Arctic Monkeys win 2006 Mercury Music Prize |date=5 September 2006 |website=NME |access-date=27 May 2018}} It earned a Platinum Europe Award after selling one million copies in Europe.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2006.pdf |title=2006 IFPI Platinum Europe Awards |date=2006 |publisher=IFPI |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194941/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/platinum-europe-awards-2006.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} The first single from the album, "Supermassive Black Hole", was released as a download in May 2006. In August 2006, Muse recorded a live session at Abbey Road Studios for the Live from Abbey Road television show. The second single, "Starlight", was released in September 2006. "Knights of Cydonia" was released in the US as a radio-only single in June 2006 and in the UK in November 2006. The fourth single, "Invincible", was released in April 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/26647|title=Muse confirm new single|website=NME|access-date=26 July 2007}} Another single, "Map of the Problematique", was released for download only in June 2007, following the band's performance at Wembley Stadium.{{Cite press release |url=http://muse.mu/news,map-of-the-problematique-digital-single_892.htm |title=Map Of The Problematique - Digital Single |date=9 June 2007 |publisher=Muse |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224141144/http://muse.mu/news,map-of-the-problematique-digital-single_892.htm |archive-date=24 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}

File:Muse rip.jpg, Germany in October 2007]]

Muse spent November and much of December 2006 touring Europe with British band Noisettes as the supporting act. The tour continued in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia in early 2007 before returning to England for the summer.{{Cite web |url=http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2007/ |title=Tour Dates Archive: 2007 |website=Muse |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528214832/http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2007/ |archive-date=28 May 2018 |url-status=dead}} At the 2007 Brit Awards in February, Muse received their second award for Best British Live Act.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/2007 |title=The BRITs: 2007 |website=BRIT Awards |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807024429/http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/2007 |url-status=dead }} They became the first act to sell out the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium when they performed two dates there in June 2007.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2007/06/18/muse_wembley_review_feature.shtml |title=Muse wow Wembley |last=Wood |first=Emily |date=18 June 2007 |work=BBC}} Both concerts were recorded for a DVD/CD, HAARP, released in early 2008.{{Cite web |url=http://muse.mu/news,haarp-cddvd-out-march-17th_936.htm |title=HAARP - CD/DVD - Out March 17th! |date=2 February 2008 |website=Muse |access-date=3 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004023/http://muse.mu/news,haarp-cddvd-out-march-17th_936.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} In 2018, HAARP was named the 40th-greatest live album of all time by NME.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2015 |title=The 50 Greatest Live Albums Ever |url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-50-greatest-live-albums-ever-1313 |access-date=27 May 2018 |website=NME}}

The tour continued across Europe in July 2007 before returning to the US in August, where Muse played to a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, New York City.{{Cite web |url=http://www.therockradio.com/2007/05/muse-headlining-madison-square-garden.html |title=Muse headlining Madison Square Garden |date=4 May 2007 |publisher=The Rock Radio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022956/http://www.therockradio.com/2007/05/muse-headlining-madison-square-garden.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2007}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.axs.com/muse-are-bringing-their-mesmerizing-performance-to-your-town-16835 |first=Terrance |last=Pryor |title=Muse are bringing their mesmerizing performance to your town |website=AXS |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=27 May 2018}} They headlined the second night of the Austin City Limits Music Festival on 15 September, and performed at the October Vegoose in Las Vegas with bands including Rage Against the Machine, Daft Punk and Queens of the Stone Age. Muse continued touring in Eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand in 2007 before going to South Africa, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Ireland, and the UK in 2008.{{Cite web |url=http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2008/ |title=Tour Dates Archive: 2008 |website=Muse |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528134128/http://muse.mu/tour-dates/archive/2008/ |archive-date=28 May 2018 |url-status=dead}} On 12 April, they played a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.{{cite web|title= Royal Albert Hall 2008|access-date =23 February 2008|date = 18 February 2008|publisher=Teenage Cancer Trust|url = http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/royal-albert-hall/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070527143900/http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/royal-albert-hall/| archive-date = 27 May 2007}}

Muse performed at Rock in Rio Lisboa on 6 June 2008, alongside bands including Kaiser Chiefs, the Offspring and Linkin Park.{{cite web|title= Rock in Rio Lisboa: Muse ao vivo [texto+fotos]|access-date= 6 June 2008|publisher= Blitz Portugal|url= http://blitz.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=bz.stories/24712|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080607131415/http://blitz.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=bz.stories%2F24712|archive-date = 7 June 2008|df= dmy-all

}} They also performed in Marlay Park, Dublin, on 13 August.{{cite news|title = Fans not a-Mused as top band to leave out Belfast|access-date =17 April 2008|date = 14 April 2008|work=The Belfast Telegraph|url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/article13875854.ece}} A few days later, Muse headlined the 2008 V Festival, playing in Chelmsford on Saturday 16 August and Staffordshire on Sunday 17 August.{{cite web|title = V Festival Announcement!|access-date =23 February 2008|date = 12 February 2008|publisher=Muse.mu|url = http://muse.mu/news/article/338/v-festival-announcement/}} On 25 September, Bellamy, Howard and Wolstenholme received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Plymouth for their contributions to music.{{cite web|title = Muse Receive Honorary Degrees|access-date =6 August 2009|date = 28 September 2008|publisher=Starpulse.com|url = http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/09/28/muse_receive_honorary_degrees_}}{{cite web|title = Muse receive honorary degrees|access-date =6 August 2009|date = 29 September 2008|work=NME |location=UK|url = https://www.nme.com/news/muse/40081}}

{{Main|The Resistance (album)|The 2nd Law|Live at Rome Olympic Stadium}}

File:MuseNIA.JPG" at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England on 10 November 2009.]]

During the recording of Muse's fifth studio album, The Resistance, Wolstenholme checked into rehab to deal with his alcoholism, which was threatening the band's future. Howard said: "I've always believed in band integrity and sticking together. There's something about the fact we all grew up together. We've been together for 18 years now, which is over half our lives."{{cite web|title = Muse: 'We like pushing it as far as we can'|url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/30/muse-2nd-law-tour-interview|website= The Guardian|access-date = 8 October 2015|first = Dorian|last = Lynskey|date = 29 September 2012}}

The Resistance was released in September 2009, the first album produced by Muse,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/12/muse-diss-rick-rubin|title=Muse slate producer Rick Rubin at awards ceremony|last=Lindvall|first=Helienne|date=12 February 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 April 2010 | location=London}} with engineering by Adrian Bushby and mixing by Mark Stent.{{cite web| title=Muse – The Resistance Album Review| url=http://www.musicloversgroup.com/muse-the-resistance-album-review/|website=Musicloversgroup.com}} It topped album charts in 19 countries, became the band's third number one album in the UK,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267326/muse-score-third-uk-no-1-album |title=Muse Score Third UK. No. 1 Album |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=21 September 2009 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 April 2010}} and reached number three on the Billboard 200.{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2011499568_muse02.html|title=Muse, Silversun Pickups: Big music, built for KeyArena|last=Horowitz|first=Joanna|date=1 April 2010|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=22 April 2010}} Reviews were mostly positive, with praise for its ambition, classical influences and the three-part "Exogenesis: Symphony".{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGoIniELKvcC&pg=PT56 |title=Billboard 3 October 2009|date=3 October 2009|access-date=28 September 2014}} The Resistance beat its predecessor Black Holes and Revelations in album sales in its debut week in the UK with approximately 148,000 copies sold.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/47473 |title=NME website |work=NME |location=UK |access-date=3 September 2010}} The first single, "Uprising", was released seven days earlier.{{cite web|url = http://muse.mu/news/article/421/first-single--uprising/|title = First Single = Uprising!}} On 13 September, Muse performed "Uprising" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621405/muse-hit-street-vma-performance.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612190925/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621405/muse-hit-street-vma-performance.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2013|title=Muse Hit The Street For VMA Performance|work=MTV News|access-date=28 September 2014}}

File:Flickr - moses namkung - Muse-2.jpg, Oakland, California, on 11 December 2009]]

The Resistance Tour began with A Seaside Rendezvous in Muse's hometown of Teignmouth, Devon, in September 2009. It included headline slots the following year at festivals including Coachella,{{cite web|url=http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/04/18/muse-rock-coachella/|title=Muse Bring Big Rock Back to Coachella – Spinner UK|date=18 April 2010|publisher=Spinnermusic.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728101441/http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2010/04/18/muse-rock-coachella/|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=3 September 2010}} Glastonbury,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/49545|title=Muse and Stevie Wonder set to headline Glastonbury 2010|date=2 February 2010|work=NME|location=UK|access-date=3 September 2010}} Oxegen,{{cite news|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/57310/Oxegen-2010-Set-To-Start-With-Eminem-Muse-Arcade-Fire|title=Oxegen 2010 Set To Start With Eminem, Muse, Arcade Fire|date=9 July 2010|work=Gigwise|access-date=3 September 2010}} Hovefestivalen,{{cite web|url=http://www.hovefestival.com/Default.aspx?articleID=1972|title=Hovefestivalen|publisher=Hovefestivalen|access-date=12 July 2016}} {{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} T in the Park, Austin City Limits and the Australian Big Day Out.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigdayout.com/lineup/artist.php?ArtistId=74|title=BIG DAY OUT 2010 – Music Festival – Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth|publisher=Bigdayout.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111055940/http://www.bigdayout.com/lineup/artist.php?ArtistId=74|archive-date=11 January 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=15 April 2010}} Between September and November, Muse toured North America.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/muse-announces-fall-shows-in-north-america-1950513.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425052928/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/muse-announces-fall-shows-in-north-america-1950513.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 April 2010|title=Muse announces fall shows in North America|date=21 April 2010|work=The Independent|access-date=22 April 2010|location=London}}

Muse provided the lead single for the film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)", released on 17 May 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37406/muses-neutron-star-collision-be-first-single-the-twilight-saga-eclipse-soundtrack |title=Muse's Neutron Star Collision to Be First Single from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |access-date=3 September 2010}} In June, Muse headlined Glastonbury Festival for the second time. After U2 canceled their headline slot following their singer Bono's back injury, their guitarist, the Edge, joined Muse to play the U2 track "Where the Streets Have No Name".Beaumont, Mark (Sunday 27 June 2010) [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/27/muse-glastonbury-2010-review Muse at Glastonbury 2010] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618014446/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jun/27/muse-glastonbury-2010-review |date=18 June 2012 }} The Guardian

For their live performances, Muse received the O2 Silver Clef Award in London on 2 July 2010,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-to-receive-prestigious-o2-silver-clef-award-1937288.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-to-receive-prestigious-o2-silver-clef-award-1937288.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Muse to receive prestigious O2 Silver Clef Award|work=The Independent|access-date=28 September 2014}} presented by Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen. Taylor described the trio as "probably the greatest live act in the world today".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957515/muse-honored-at-o2-silver-clef-awards|title=Muse Honored at O2 Silver Clef Awards|date=14 September 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=3 September 2010}} On 12 September 2010, Muse won an MTV Video Music Award in the category of Best Special Effects, for the "Uprising" video.{{cite web|url=http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2010/09/lady-gaga-muse-30-seconds-to-mars-triumph-at-2010-vma-awards/|title=Lady Gaga, Muse, 30 Seconds To Mars Triumph At 2010 VMA Awards|work=Live4ever Media |date=13 September 2010|publisher=Live4ever.uk.com|access-date=28 September 2014}} On 21 November, Muse won an American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Alternative Rock Music Category.{{Cite web |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/muse-wins-american-music-award-favorite-artist-alternative-rock-music-category-1357814.htm |title=Muse Wins American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Alternative Rock Music Category |work=Marketwire |publisher=Market Wired |access-date=12 July 2016}} On 2 December, Muse were nominated for three awards for the 53rd Grammy Awards on 13 February 2011, for which they won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for The Resistance.{{cite web|url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657891/muse-grammy-awards.jhtml|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217000655/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657891/muse-grammy-awards.jhtml|url-status = dead|archive-date = 17 February 2011|title = Muse Bask In First Grammy Win, Make Plans For Kid-Friendly Album|work = MTV News|access-date = 28 September 2014}}

Based on having the largest airplay and sales in the US, Muse were named the Billboard Alternative Songs and Rock Songs artist for 2010 with "Uprising", "Resistance" and "Undisclosed Desires" achieving 1st, 6th and 49th places on the year-end Alternative Song chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/hot-alternative-songs|title=Best of 2010, Alternative Songs|date=31 December 2010|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 September 2014}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts-year-end?year%3D2010# |title=Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts | Billboard |magazine=Billboard |access-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121190919/http://www.billboard.com/charts-year-end?year=2010 |archive-date=21 January 2013}} Billboard Retrieved 19 December 2010 On 30 July 2011, Muse supported Rage Against the Machine at their only 2011 gig at the L.A. Rising festival. On 13 August, Muse headlined the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661776/outside-lands-festival-lineup-muse.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415015822/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661776/outside-lands-festival-lineup-muse.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 April 2011|title=Muse, Arcade Fire, Phish To Headline Outside Lands Festival|work=MTV News|access-date=28 September 2014}} They headlined the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.readingfestival.com/history/reading-festival-2011|title=Reading Festival 2011|date=28 November 2013|access-date=24 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223102805/https://www.readingfestival.com/history/reading-festival-2011|archive-date=23 December 2017|df=dmy-all}} To celebrate the tenth anniversary of their album Origin of Symmetry (2001), Muse performed all eleven tracks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/55776|title=Muse to play 'Origin of Symmetry' in full at Reading And Leeds Festivals|work=NME |location=UK }} Muse also headlined Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park in August 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eminem-muse-foo-fighters-headline-97892|title=Eminem, Muse, Foo Fighters to Headline Lollapalooza 2011|date=9 February 2011|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=28 September 2014}}

In an April 2012 interview, Bellamy said Muse's next album would include influences from acts such as French house duo Justice and UK electronic rock group Does It Offend You, Yeah?.{{Cite web|url=http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/artists/2012/06/07/new-muse-album-set-for-september|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719084333/http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/artists/2012/06/07/new-muse-album-set-for-september |url-status=dead |title="New Muse album set for September"|archive-date=19 July 2012}} On 6 June 2012, Muse released a trailer for their next album, The 2nd Law, with a countdown on the band's website. The trailer, which included dubstep elements, was met with mixed reactions.{{cite web| title = Fans react to Muse's dubstep-tinged trailer for new album 'The 2nd Law'| work = NME| date = 6 June 2012| url = https://www.nme.com/news/muse/64168| access-date =6 June 2012}}{{cite web| last = Montgomery| first = James| title = Muse Move Toward Dubstep in Apocalyptic The 2nd Law Trailer| publisher = MTV| date = 6 June 2012| url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1686756/muse-second-law-trailer-dubstep.jhtml| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629010445/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1686756/muse-second-law-trailer-dubstep.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = 29 June 2012| access-date =6 June 2012}} On 7 June, Muse announced a European Arena tour, the first leg of The 2nd Law Tour. The leg included dates in France, Spain and the UK.{{cite web|url=http://muse.mu/news/article/781/uk--european-tour-announced/ |title=MUSE: NEWS – UK & European Tour Announced |publisher=Muse.mu |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=1 October 2012}} The first single from the album, "Survival", was the official song of the London 2012 Summer Olympics,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18607319|title=Muse unveil official Olympic song|newspaper=BBC News|date=28 June 2012|access-date=28 September 2014}} and Muse performed it at the Olympics closing ceremony.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9470803/Olympics-closing-ceremony-playlist.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9470803/Olympics-closing-ceremony-playlist.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Olympics closing ceremony:playlist|publisher=The Daily Telegraph (United Kingdom)|date=12 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}

File:Group - 11251065036.jpg]]

Muse revealed the 2nd Law tracklist on 13 July 2012.{{cite web| title = The 2nd Law Tracklisting Unveiled| work = Muse| date = 13 July 2012| url = http://muse.mu/news/article/788/the-2nd-law--tracklisting-unveiled/ | access-date =13 July 2012}}{{cite web| title = Muse reveal The 2nd Law tracklisting| work = Rekwired| date = 13 July 2012| url = http://rekwired.com/news/muse-reveal-the-2nd-law-tracklisting/| access-date = 13 July 2012| archive-date = 21 October 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021101105/http://rekwired.com/news/muse-reveal-the-2nd-law-tracklisting/| url-status = usurped}} The second single, "Madness", was released on 20 August 2012, with a music video on 5 September. Muse played at the Roundhouse on 30 September as part of the iTunes Festival. The 2nd Law was released worldwide on 1 October, and on 2 October 2012 in the US; it reached number one in the UK Albums Chart, and number two on the US Billboard 200.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/66512|title=Muse beat Mumford & Sons to claim UK Number One album slot|date=7 October 2012|work=NME.COM|access-date=28 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-mumfordandsons-charts-idUSBRE8991FZ20121010|title=Mumford & Sons keep Muse from topping Billboard chart|work=Reuters|date=10 October 2012|access-date=28 September 2014|last1=Sinha-Roy|first1=Piya}} The song "Madness" earned a nomination in the Best Rock Song category and the album itself was nominated for the Best Rock Album at the 55th Grammy Awards, 2013. The band performed the album's opening song, "Supremacy", with an orchestra at the 2013 Brit Awards on 20 February 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/68368|title=Muse to perform 'Supremacy' with full orchestra and choir at Brit Awards|date=26 January 2013|work=NME.COM|access-date=28 September 2014}} The album was a nominee for Best Rock Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards. The song "Madness" was also nominated for Best Rock Song.{{cite web | url=http://www.eonline.com/news/368952/55th-annual-grammy-awards-complete-list-of-nominees | title=55th Annual Grammy Awards: Complete List of Nominees | publisher=E! | date=5 December 2012 | access-date=9 July 2015 | author=Nessif, Bruna}} The album listed at number 46 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "In an era of diminished expectations, Muse make stadium-crushing songs that mix the legacies of Queen, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead while making almost every other current band seem tiny."{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2012-20121205/muse-the-2nd-law-19691231 | title=Muse, 'The 2nd Law' – 50 Best Albums of 2012 | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=5 December 2012 | access-date=9 July 2015}}

Muse released their fourth live album, Live at Rome Olympic Stadium, on 29 November 2013 on CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray formats. In November 2013, the film had theatrical screenings in 20 cities worldwide. The album contains the band's performance at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on 6 July 2013, in front of over 60,000 people; it was the first concert filmed in 4K format.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/muse-singer-matt-bellamy-live-dvd-completes-an-upside-down-journey-20131202 |title=Muse Singer Matt Bellamy: Live DVD Completes an 'Upside-Down Journey' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016043855/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/muse-singer-matt-bellamy-live-dvd-completes-an-upside-down-journey-20131202 |archive-date=16 October 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2 December 2013 |access-date=3 December 2014}} The concert was a part of the Unsustainable Tour, Muse's mid-2013 tour of Europe.

{{Main|Drones (Muse album)|Simulation Theory (album)|Origin of Muse}}

File:Phil Guest - 25957169210.jpg in London in April 2016 as part of the Drones World Tour]]

Muse began writing their seventh album soon after the Rome concert. The band felt that the electronic side of their music was becoming too dominant, and wanted to return to a simpler rock sound.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/muse-singer-matt-bellamy-live-dvd-completes-an-upside-down-journey-20131202|title=Muse Singer Matt Bellamy: Live DVD Completes an 'Upside-Down Journey'|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=2 December 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=7 February 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/chris-wolstenholme-and-muse-return-to-their-hard-rock-roots/54021|title=Chris Wolstenholme and Muse Return to Their Hard Rock Roots|website=www.bassplayer.com|access-date=8 April 2016}} After self-producing their previous two albums, the band hired producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange so they could focus on performance and spend less time mixing and reviewing takes. Recording took place in the Vancouver Warehouse Studio from October 2014 to April 2015.{{cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/06j7UVyMRh/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/domhoward77/953232279059612769 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Dom Howard Instagram|date=1 April 2015|publisher=Instagram|access-date=6 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/06qwJGrv33/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/06qwJGrv33 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Rich Costey Instagram|date=1 April 2015|publisher=Instagram|access-date=6 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}

Muse announced their seventh album, Drones, on 11 March 2015. The following day, they released a lyric video for "Psycho" on their YouTube channel,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqLRqzTp6Rk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/UqLRqzTp6Rk| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=Muse - Psycho [Official Lyric Video]|date=12 March 2015|publisher=YouTube|access-date=12 March 2015}}{{cbignore}} and made the song available for instant download with the album pre-order. Another single, "Dead Inside", was released on 23 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/83437|title=Muse announce new album 'Drones' for June and confirm live dates beginning Sunday|last=Britton|first=Luke Morgan|date=11 March 2015|magazine=NME|access-date=13 March 2015}}

From 15 March to 16 May, Muse embarked on a short tour in small venues throughout the UK and the US, the Psycho Tour. Live performances of new songs from these concerts are included on the DVD accompanying the album along with bonus studio footage.{{cite web|url=http://store.muse.mu/uk/tbc-cd-dvd-1.html|title=Drones CD & DVD|date=12 March 2015|website=store.muse.mu/uk|publisher=Warner Music|access-date=16 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113950/http://store.muse.mu/uk/tbc-cd-dvd-1.html|url-status=dead}} On 18 May 2015, Muse released a lyric video for "Mercy" on their YouTube channel, and made the song available for instant download with the album pre-order.{{cite web|url=http://www.inveterate.co.uk/music/muse-stream-new-single-mercy-taken-from-seventh-studio-album-drones/145963/|title=Muse: Stream New Single 'Mercy' Taken From Seventh Studio Album 'Drones'|date=18 May 2015|publisher=Inveterate|access-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520112647/http://www.inveterate.co.uk/music/muse-stream-new-single-mercy-taken-from-seventh-studio-album-drones/145963/|archive-date=20 May 2015}}

Drones was released on 8 June 2015. A concept album about the dehumanisation of modern warfare,{{cite news|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/97841/muse-new-album-drones-title-confirmed-on-instagram|title=Muse appear to confirm Drones as new album title with cryptic photos|last=Davidson|first=Amy|date=5 February 2015|work=Gigwise|access-date=5 February 2015}} it returned to a simpler rock sound with less elaborate production and genre experimentation.{{cite web|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/2015/5/muse-drones-album-review-by-jane-gazzo/|title=Muse Drones Album Interview And Review By Jane Gazzo|date=5 June 2015|publisher=Triple M|access-date=10 June 2015|archive-date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611013358/http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/2015/5/muse-drones-album-review-by-jane-gazzo/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/04/muse-drones-review-the-bands-most-focused-work-in-a-decade|title=Muse: Drones review – the band's most focused work in a decade|author=Gwilym Mumford|work=The Guardian|date=4 June 2015|access-date=10 June 2015}} It topped the album charts in the UK, the US, Australia and most major markets.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33126878 "Muse land fifth UK number one album"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919120909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33126878 |date=19 September 2016 }}. BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2015{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title=Muse Earns Its First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6598303/muse-first-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart|magazine=Billboard|date=17 June 2015|access-date=17 June 2015}}[http://www.noise11.com/news/aria-albums-muse-debuts-at-no-1-20150613 "ARIA Album charts: Muse album debuts at No. 1"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107050737/http://www.noise11.com/news/aria-albums-muse-debuts-at-no-1-20150613 |date=7 November 2016 }}. Noise 11. Retrieved 17 June 2015 Muse headlined Lollapalooza Berlin on 13 September 2015.{{cite news|title=Muse to headline Lollapalooza Berlin|url=http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk/2015/06/muse-to-headline-lollapalooza-berlin/|access-date=2 June 2015|work=Never Enough Notes|publisher=Never Enough Notes|date=2 June 2015|ref=Never Enough Notes|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706000341/http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk/2015/06/muse-to-headline-lollapalooza-berlin/|url-status=dead}} On 15 February 2016, Drones won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 58th Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees?genre=31|website=Grammy.com|title=58th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees|access-date=15 February 2016}} On 24 June, Muse headlined the Glastonbury Festival for a third time, becoming the first act to have headlined each day of the festival (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36627630 |title=Muse play bombastic Glastonbury set |first=Mark |last=Savage |work=BBC News |date=25 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907043009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36627630 |archive-date=7 September 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2016}} On 30 November 2016, Muse were announced to headline Reading and Leeds 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.readingfestival.com/news/muse-are-your-first-randl17-headliners-plus-major-lazer-bastille-architects-and-more|title=MUSE ARE YOUR FIRST #RANDL17 HEADLINERS!|publisher=Reading festival|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220163341/http://www.readingfestival.com/news/muse-are-your-first-randl17-headliners-plus-major-lazer-bastille-architects-and-more|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}

In 2017, Muse toured North America, supported by Thirty Seconds to Mars and PVRIS.{{Cite web |url=http://muse.mu/news,2017-north-american-tour_2763.html |title=Muse to tour with 30 Seconds to Mars |website=muse.mu |date=27 February 2017 |access-date=14 May 2018 }} {{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 18 May, they released "Dig Down", the first single from their eighth album.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-announce-new-single-dig-2069869|title=Muse announce new single 'Dig Down'|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|date=11 May 2017|access-date=11 May 2017|magazine=NME}} In November, they performed at the BlizzCon festival.{{cite web |url=https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/21098851/muse-live-at-blizzcon-2017 |title=Muse Live at BlizzCon 2017! |date=5 October 2017 |access-date=5 October 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006013123/https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/21098851/muse-live-at-blizzcon-2017 |url-status=dead }} "Thought Contagion", the second single, was released on 15 February 2018,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/watch-new-muse-video-for-thought-contagion-w516730 |title=Matt Bellamy on Muse's Rousing, Political New Song 'Thought Contagion' |date=15 February 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=27 May 2018}} accompanied by an 1980s-styled music video.{{cite news|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2018-02-16/muse-release-neon-tinged-video-for-new-single-thought-contagion|title=Muse release neon-tinged video for new single Thought Contagionwork=Prog|last=Munro|first=Scott|date=16 February 2018|access-date=29 May 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8099960/muse-new-song-video-thought-contagion|title=Muse Share Infectious New Song & Video 'Thought Contagion'|last=Braca|first=Nina|date=15 February 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=29 May 2018}} In June, Muse opened the Rock In Rio festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/festivals-blog/2343243-2343243 |website=nme.com |title=Muse's sonic spectacular opens Lisbon's Rock In Rio 2018|date=24 June 2018 | access-date=7 July 2018}} On 24 February, they played a show at La Cigale in France with a setlist voted for fans online,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-rarities-b-sides-fan-voted-setlist-la-cigale-paris-watch-video-2249121 |website=NME |title=Muse play rarity-packed Paris show with setlist voted for by fans |date=26 February 2018 |access-date=14 May 2018}} followed by a show at Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, in which they played mainly older material and B-sides.{{Cite news |last=Gittins |first=Ian |date=2017-08-20 |title=Muse review – band unleash thunderstorm in a matchbox |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/20/muse-review-shepherds-bush-empire-london |access-date=2023-09-24 |issn=0261-3077}} A concert video, Muse: Drones World Tour, was released in cinemas worldwide on 12 July 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.kerrang.com/the-news/muse-to-release-drones-world-tour-film-in-cinemas-for-one-night-only/ |website=Kerrang! |title=Muse to Release Drones World Tour Film in Cinemas – for one night only|date=26 April 2018 | access-date=27 April 2018}}

File:MuseBristol 050619-118 (48035812973).jpg

On 19 July 2018, Muse released the third single from their upcoming album, "Something Human",{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muses-matt-bellamy-shares-bands-first-acoustic-track-something-human-2354004 |website=NME |title= Muse's Matt Bellamy shares new acoustic track Something Human |date=13 July 2018 | access-date=14 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAEHCQgcUI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/azAEHCQgcUI| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=MUSE - Something Human [Official Music Video]|last=Muse|date=19 July 2018|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} followed by "The Dark Side" on 30 August{{cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=30 August 2018 |title=Muse unveil new single 'The Dark Side' and announce new album 'Simulation Theory' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-unveil-new-single-dark-side-announce-new-album-simulation-theory-2372513 |access-date=31 August 2018 |work=NME}} and "Pressure" on 27 September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2eKImKZviw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/h2eKImKZviw| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=MUSE - Pressure [Official Music Video]|last=Muse|date=2018-09-29|website=YouTube|access-date=2018-09-30}}{{cbignore}} Muse released their eighth studio album, Simulation Theory, with a focus on 80s-inspired synthesisers, on 9 November.{{Cite news |last=Empire |first=Kitty |date=2018-11-11 |title=Muse: Simulation Theory review – riffing hard on the 80s |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/11/muse-simulation-theory-review-kitty-empire |access-date=2023-09-24 |issn=0029-7712}} The Simulation Theory World Tour began in Houston on 3 February 2019 and concluded on 15 October in Lima.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-me-muse-announce-simulation-tour-20181104-story.html|title=Muse announces 'Simulation Theory' 2019 world tour: Here are all the dates, cities|last=Varga|first=George|work=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=2018-11-05|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventsnitch.com/blog/muse-simulation-theory-tour-coming-to-an-en|title=Muse – Simulation Theory tour coming to an end|date=23 August 2019|access-date=8 November 2019}} A film based on the album and tour, Muse – Simulation Theory, combining concert footage and narrative scenes, was released in August 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-11|title=Muse announce 'Simulation Theory' movie IMAX experience and new box set|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-announce-simulation-theory-imax-experience-and-new-box-set-2725411|access-date=2020-09-13|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs|language=en-GB}}

In December 2019, Muse released Origin of Muse, a box set comprising remastered versions of Showbiz and Origin of Symmetry plus previously unreleased material.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/muse-showbiz-origin-of-muse-box-set-881374/|title=Muse Mark 20th Anniversary of 'Showbiz' With 'Origin of Muse' Box Set|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=7 September 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=8 September 2019}} For the 20th anniversary of Origin of Symmetry in June 2021, Muse released a remixed and remastered version, Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-20|title=Muse announce 20th anniversary Origin Of Symmetry remix album|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-announce-20th-anniversary-origin-of-symmetry-remix-album-with-new-version-of-citizen-erased-2944718|access-date=2021-05-20|website=NME|language=en-GB}}

File:MuseHammsmith100522 (58 of 76) (52089635929).jpg

{{Main|Will of the People (album)}}

On 13 January 2022, Muse released the single "Won't Stand Down", which marked a return to their heavier early sound.{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Trendell|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-announce-new-single-wont-stand-down-album-3132589|title=Muse announce new single 'Won't Stand Down'|website=NME|date=7 January 2022|access-date=13 January 2022}}{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Owen|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/muse-wont-stand-down|title=Muse release pummeling new single, Won't Stand Down|work=Guitar World|date=13 January 2022|access-date=13 January 2022}} On 9 March, Muse posted a 35-second clip across various social media platforms depicting large busts of the band members being torn down.{{Citation |title=MUSE | date=9 March 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzHnwHzp9o4 |language=en |access-date=2022-03-09}} On 17 March, Muse announced their ninth album, Will of the People, with a release date of 26 August 2022. Ahead of the release, Muse released the singles "Compliance", "Will of the People", "Kill or Be Killed" and "You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween".{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Willman| url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/muse-will-people-new-album-return-1235207984/|title=Muse to Return After Four Years With 'Will of the People' Album; 'Compliance' Video Out Now|website=Variety|date=17 March 2022| access-date=17 March 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad|title=Muse Start the Revolution With Video for Defiant 'Will of the People' Title Track |url=https://loudwire.com/muse-will-of-the-people-title-track-video-lyrics/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=Loudwire |date=June 2022 |language=en}}

The Will of the People World Tour began in April 2022. The touring member Morgan Nicholls was replaced by Dan Lancaster on additional keys, percussion and guitar. On 17 November 2023, Muse released a 20th-anniversary reissue of Absolution, featuring bonus tracks, live recordings and demos.{{cite news |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |date=15 September 2023 |title=Muse announce Absolution 20th anniversary deluxe reissue |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-announce-absolution-20th-anniversary-deluxe-reissue-vinyl-artwork-tracklist-buy-3498650 |access-date=15 September 2023 |work=NME}} Muse appeared on the song "1685" from the 2024 album Telos by the electronic producer Zedd.{{Cite web |last=Deville |first=Chris |date=2024-08-30 |title=Zedd's new album Telos features Jeff Buckley "Dream Brother" remix: listen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2278311/zedd-has-a-jeff-buckley-edm-remix-on-his-new-album/music/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} In August 2024, Wolstenholme announced a solo project, Chromes, and released the singles "Imaginary World" and "The Good Life".{{Cite news |last=Lavis-Quinlin |first=Jennifer |date=14 August 2024 |title=Review: Muse's Chris Wolstenholme debuts fantastic new project Chromes with 'The Good Life' & 'Imaginary World' double single |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/review-chromes-the-good-life-imaginary-world-2024-double-singles/ |access-date=17 October 2024 |work=The AU Review |language=en-US}}

File:MuseO2140919-64 (48736139637).jpg

Described as a band that fuse alternative rock,{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3335815/muse-announce-new-album-drones-june-release-date/ |title=Muse Announce New Album 'Drones' For June Release Date | work=Bloody Disgusting|date=12 March 2015|author=Barkan, Jonathan| access-date=10 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-matt-bellamy-malibu-house-20160531-snap-story.html| work=Los Angeles Times | last=Leitereg | first=Neil | date=31 May 2016 | title =Muse frontman Matt Bellamy picks up another home in Malibu|access-date=10 July 2017}}{{cite web| url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2012/06/28/is-muses-song-for-the-olympics-the-most-ridiculous-piece-of-music-2012-has-to-offer/ | title=Is Muse's Song For The Olympics The Most Ridiculous Piece Of Music 2012 Has To Offer? | work=The Village Voice | author=Johnston, Martha | date=28 July 2012 | access-date=10 July 2017}} progressive rock,{{cite news| url=http://thequietus.com/articles/18182-muse-drones-review | title=Muse - Drones | work=The Quietus | date=23 June 2015 | access-date=10 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/10-best-selling-prog-artists-of-the-21st-century-so-far-1423019| title=10 Best Selling Prog Artists Of The 21st Century So Far|work=NME | date=2 September 2015 | access-date=10 July 2017}}{{cite web|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|title=How Muse Became One of the World's Biggest Rock Bands|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/how-muse-became-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-rock-bands.html|work=Vulture|date=8 November 2018|access-date=14 January 2022}} space rock,{{cite magazine | url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/muse_to_release_new_album_drones | title=Muse to release new album, 'Drones' | magazine=Alternative Press | date=5 February 2015 | access-date=30 March 2015 | author=Sharp, Tyler}}{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10081379/Muse-Emirates-Stadium-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10081379/Muse-Emirates-Stadium-review.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Muse, Emirates Stadium, review | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | date=26 May 2013 | access-date=30 March 2015 | author=Hall, James}}{{cbignore}}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/7252 | title=Muse : Paris: Bercy: Tuesday November 18 | magazine=NME | date=12 September 2005 | access-date=30 March 2015}} hard rock,{{cite web |author=Ubl |first=Sam |date=5 July 2006 |title=Muse - Black Holes and Revelations |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9168-black-holes-and-revelations/ |access-date=17 March 2015 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/muse-absolution-2495992976.html|title=Muse Absolution| work=Pop Matters|date=19 May 2004|access-date=14 January 2022}} art rock,{{cite web|first=Tim|last=DiGravina|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/absolution-mw0000384478|title=AllMusic Review by Tim DiGravina|publisher=All Music|access-date=12 July 2016}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/muse-the-2nd-law-warner-bros/|title=Muse, 'The 2nd Law' (Warner Bros.)|magazine=Spin|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=12 July 2016|author=Farrar, Justin F.}} electronic rock, progressive metal,{{cite news|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/10/1/muse-second-law-review/|title=Muse Rides Electric Energy Through Overambitious Release|newspaper=The Harvard Crimson|date=1 October 2012|access-date=12 July 2016|author=Palmedo, Tree A.}} indie rock{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-celebration-of-endings-mw0003377615 |title=A Celebration of Endings - Biffy Clyro |last=Collar |first=Matt |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=5 September 2022}} and pop, Muse also mix sounds from genres such as electronica{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Savage|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43126988|title=Muse: 'The guitar is no longer a lead instrument'|publisher=BBC|date=20 February 2018|access-date=14 January 2022}} and R&B, with forms such as classical music and rock opera.{{cite web|url = http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/muse-the-resistance|publisher = rocksound.tv|title = Muse – 'The Resistance'|access-date = 12 May 2008|archive-date = 22 September 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120922093515/http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/muse-the-resistance|url-status = dead}} In 2002, Bellamy described Muse as a "trashy three-piece".{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Xrn4jCzzk|publisher=YouTube|title = Muse interview on BBC 2002|date=26 January 2007 |access-date =26 May 2011}} He said supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their 1999 Californication tour inspired Muse to become less reserved and "up their game" in their performances.{{Cite web |author1=Jonathan Horsley |date=2022-08-26 |title=Matt Bellamy says opening for the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers was the making of Muse as a live band |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/muse-rhcp-flea-matt-bellamy-foo-fighters |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}} Bellamy said Lady Gaga was an influence on Muse's showmanship and stage costumes, "crossing that line between what is fantasy and what is reality".{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=2022-08-25 |title=Muse's Matt Bellamy recalls attending one of Lady Gaga's early career shows: 'I have always been a little monster' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/muses-matt-bellamy-lady-gaga-fan-1234581434/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

Early in their career, Muse were often likened to Radiohead. Spin wrote that Bellamy's voice "often slips into high, mournful tones" similar to the Radiohead singer, Thom Yorke. John Leckie, who produced Muse's first two albums and also produced Radiohead's second album, The Bends (1995), dismissed the comparisons, saying: "In the late 90s, any British band that sang passionately and played guitar was going to get compared to Radiohead." He said he chose to produce Muse after The Bends because he "intentionally looked for something different". Asked in 2009, Bellamy said he did not hear the similarity, saying Muse were "past [the comparisons] in most places".

In 2006, Pitchfork described Muse's music as "firmly ol' skool at heart: proggy hard rock that forgoes any pretensions to restraint ... their songs use full-stacked guitars and thunderous drums to evoke God's footsteps".{{cite web|title=Muse - Absolution|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/absolution-mw0000384478|website=Allmusic|access-date=4 November 2014}} AllMusic described their sound as a "fusion of progressive rock, glam, electronica, and Radiohead-influenced experimentation".{{cite web|url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p142116/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title = Muse > Biography|work=AllMusic|first=Heather|last=Phares|access-date =31 March 2015}} On Muse's association with progressive rock, Howard said: "I associate [progressive rock] with 10-minute guitar solos, but I guess we kind of come into the category. A lot of bands are quite ambitious with their music, mixing lots of different styles – and when I see that I think it's great. I've noticed that kind of thing becoming a bit more mainstream."{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8266922.stm | title= It's back... Prog rock assaults album charts | first=Tim | last=Masters | work=BBC News | date=23 September 2009}} The Guardian described Muse as "fearlessly flamboyant".{{cite news |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |date=29 September 2012 |title=Muse: 'We like pushing it as far as we can' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/30/muse-2nd-law-tour-interview |work=The Guardian}} Howard said he loved the "excess" of their music and that he liked "pushing it as far as we can", citing the choir of "Survival" as an example. Wolstenholme said: "You can go on writing traditional pop-rock songs and get stale or try something new. There are risks either way." The Queen guitarist, Brian May, praised Muse in 2009, calling them "extraordinary musicians" who "let their madness show through, always a good thing in an artist".{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Tim |date=13 October 2009 |title=Queen star May hails Muse album |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8304176.stm |access-date=3 September 2010 |work=BBC News}}

File:Muse - Supremacy - Roma.jpg" at Stadio Olimpico, Rome on 6 July 2013 during The Unsustainable Tour. Rolling Stone stated the band possess "stadium-crushing songs".]]

For their second album, Origin of Symmetry (2001), Muse aimed to craft a "heavier", more aggressive sound.{{cite web |url=http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/2000/09/ |title=muse : archives | microcuts.net | September 2000 |publisher=microcuts.net |access-date=19 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917084649/http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/2000/09/ |archive-date=17 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=June 2022}} Their third album, Absolution (2003), features prominent string arrangements and drew influences from artists such as Queen.{{cite web |url=http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/49972/interview-with-muse.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214114231/http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/49972/interview-with-muse.html |title=Interview with Muse |last=Delaney |first=Colin |work=TNT |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=8 November 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2012}} Their fourth album, Black Holes and Revelations (2006) was influenced by artists including Depeche Mode and Lightning Bolt, as well as Asian and European music such as Naples music. The band listened to radio stations from the Middle East during the album's recording sessions.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/muse_0706.htm |work=musicOMH |title=Muse – Intergalacticists Stride Our World |access-date=12 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107034101/http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/muse_0706.htm |archive-date=7 November 2008 }}

Muse's sixth album, The 2nd Law (2012) has a broader range of influences, ranging from funk and film scores to electronica and dubstep. The 2nd Law is influenced by rock acts such as Queen and Led Zeppelin (on "Supremacy") as well as dubstep producer Skrillex and Nero (on "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable"{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2012/07/25/muse-reveals-skrillex-as-major-influence-on-new-album-the-2nd-law/|title=Muse Reveals Skrillex As Major Influence on New Album 'The 2nd Law'|publisher=MTV|access-date=17 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010085226/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2012/07/25/muse-reveals-skrillex-as-major-influence-on-new-album-the-2nd-law|archive-date=10 October 2012}} and "Follow Me", with the latter being co-produced by Nero), Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder (on "Panic Station" which features musicians who performed on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8c7cNxVvc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118140841/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8c7cNxVvc |url-status=dead |title=- YouTube|archive-date=18 November 2015|website=www.youtube.com}}) and Hans Zimmer.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/65524|title=Muse reveal 'The Dark Knight Rises' composer Hans Zimmer is a key influence on 'The 2nd Law'|work=NME|access-date=15 August 2012}} The album features two songs with lyrics written and sung by Wolstenholme, who wrote about his battle with alcoholism.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/65148|title=Muse's Chris Wolstenholme on alcohol battle: 'I had to stop or die'|work=NME|date=26 July 2012|access-date=17 September 2012}} It features extensive electronic instrumentation, including modular synthesisers and the French Connection, a synthesiser controller similar to the ondes martenot.{{Cite news|url=https://www.emusician.com/artists/muse|title=Muse|work=EMusician|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-us}} According to the Guardian, Muse's critical standing declined following Black Holes and Revelations (2006), with "hit-and-miss albums" damaging "what was previously a bulletproof reputation for top-notch anthem-making".{{Cite news |last=Mills |first=Matt |date=2023-06-16 |title=Muse review – sublimely ridiculous rock'n'roll camp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/16/muse-review-sublimely-ridiculous-rocknroll-camp |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Many Muse songs are recognisable by Bellamy's vocal vibrato, falsetto, and melismatic phrasing, influenced by Jeff Buckley.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/aug/17/artsfeatures.muse |title=Matt Bellamy Interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305030612/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/aug/17/artsfeatures.muse |archive-date=5 March 2016 |website=The Guardian |date=17 August 2001 |access-date=17 June 2015}} As a pianist, Bellamy often uses arpeggios. Bellamy's compositions often suggest or quote late classical and romantic era composers such as Sergei Rachmaninov (in "Space Dementia" and "Butterflies and Hurricanes"), Camille Saint-Saëns (in "I Belong to You (+Mon Cœur S'ouvre a ta Voix)") and Frédéric Chopin (in "United States of Eurasia").{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/6599450/Muse-interview.html |title=Muse Interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222235607/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/6599450/Muse-interview.html |archive-date=22 February 2016 |website=Telegraph |date=18 November 2009 |access-date=17 June 2015}} As a guitarist, Bellamy often uses arpeggiator and pitch-shift effects to create a more "electronic" sound, citing Jimi Hendrix and Tom Morello as influences.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/muses_matt_bellamy_talks.html |title=Muse's Matt Bellamy Talks |date=25 December 2003 |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com (possibly reprinted from Total Guitar (UK Magazine)) |access-date=17 September 2009}} His guitar playing is also influenced by Latin and Spanish guitar music; Bellamy said: "I just think that music is really passionate...It has so much feel and flair to it. I’ve spent important times of my life in Spain and Greece, and various deep things happened there – falling in love, stuff like that. So maybe that rubbed off somewhere."{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/18/muse-matt-bellamy-rocks-backpages-uncut-interview-stephen-dalton-january-2000 |title=Muse's Matt Bellamy: 'We're not a bunch of boys who've got everything, whinging about nothing' |website=The Guardian |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=27 May 2018}}

Wolstenholme's basslines provide a motif for many Muse songs; the band combines bass guitar with effects and synthesisers to create overdriven fuzz bass tones.{{Cite news |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/too-much-is-never-enough-muses-chris-wolstenholme-reinvents-art-rock-bass-for-the-21st-century/25917 |title=Too Much Is Never Enough: Muse's Chris Wolstenholme Reinvents Art-Rock Bass For The 21st Century |last=BassPlayer.com |first=Electric & Acoustic Bass Gear, Lessons, News, Video, Tabs and Chords - |access-date=19 February 2018 |language=en-US}} Bellamy and Wolstenholme use touch-screen controllers, often built into their instruments, to control synthesisers and effects including Kaoss Pads and Digitech Whammy pedals.{{cite web|url=http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/article/3948-muse-gear-guide-matt-bellamy-s-fx-pedals.html |title=Muse Gear Guide - Matt Bellamy's FX Pedals |publisher=Dolphin Music |date=1 October 2009 |access-date=26 January 2014}}

Most earlier Muse songs lyrically dealt with introspective themes, including relationships, social alienation, and difficulties they had encountered while trying to establish themselves in their hometown. However, with the band's progress, their song concepts have become more ambitious, addressing issues such as the fear of the evolution of technology in their Origin of Symmetry (2001) album. They deal mainly with the apocalypse in Absolution (2003) and with catastrophic war in Black Holes and Revelations (2006). The Resistance (2009) focused on themes of government oppression, uprising, love, and panspermia. The album was inspired by Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Their sixth studio album, The 2nd Law (2012), relates to economics, thermodynamics, and apocalyptic themes. Their 2015 album, Drones, is a concept album that uses autonomous killing drones as a metaphor for brainwashing and loss of empathy.{{Cn|date=November 2024}} The Guardian wrote that Muse incorporate "calls for revolution just vague enough that both the left and right could rally behind them".

Books that have influenced Muse's lyrics include Nineteen Eighty-Four,{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/10000720/new-muse-album-inspired-by-1984 |title=New Muse album 'inspired' by 1984 |last=Cochrane |first=Greg |date=8 April 2009 |website=BBC News |access-date=28 September 2014}} Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_78ucyED8E | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218023144/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_78ucyED8E| archive-date=2013-02-18|title=Interview with Matthew Bellamy |publisher=Youtube.com |access-date=26 January 2014}} Hyperspace by Michio Kaku,The Making of Origin of Symmetry. Xfm. 8 November 2011 The 12th Planet by Zecharia Sitchin,{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/muse-the-band-who-fell-to-earth-6167112.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206031454/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/muse-the-band-who-fell-to-earth-6167112.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2012 |title=Muse: The band who fell to earth |work=The Independent |access-date=28 September 2014}} Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Muse-ruled-by-secrecy-lyrics|title=Muse – Ruled by Secrecy|website=Genius.com}} and Trance Formation of America by Cathy O'Brien.{{Cite web |url=https://genius.com/6775035 |title=Behold my trance formation |website=Genius |access-date=5 March 2016}}

Official members

• Matt Bellamy – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
• Dominic Howard – drums, percussion
• Chris Wolstenholme – bass, backing vocals

Touring musicians

• Dan Lancaster – keyboards, guitars, percussion, backing vocals (2022–present)

Former touring musicians

• Morgan Nicholls – keyboards, guitars, percussion, backing vocals, bass (2004,{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2004-08-19 |title=GIVE HIM A HAND! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-436-1358027 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} 2006–2022)
• Daniel Newell – trumpet (2006–2008)
• Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesisers (2009, substitute)

File:Muse - 2018153224418 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 2039 - AK8I6239.jpg|Matt Bellamy

File:Muse - 2018153223827 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 1029 - B70I2336.jpg|Dominic Howard

File:Muse - 2018153224303 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 1099 - B70I2406.jpg|Chris Wolstenholme

{{Main|Muse discography|List of songs recorded by Muse}}

• Showbiz (1999)
• Origin of Symmetry (2001)
• Absolution (2003)
• Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
• The Resistance (2009)
• The 2nd Law (2012)
• Drones (2015)
• Simulation Theory (2018)
• Will of the People (2022)

• Showbiz Tour (1998–2000)
• Origin of Symmetry Tour (2000–2002)
• Absolution Tour (2003–2004)
• US Campus Invasion Tour 2005 (2005)
• Black Holes and Revelations Tour (2006–2008)
• The Resistance Tour (2009–2011)
• The 2nd Law World Tour (2012–2014)
• Psycho Tour (2015)
• Drones World Tour (2015–2016)
• North American Tour (with Thirty Seconds to Mars and Pvris) (2017)
• Simulation Theory World Tour (2019)
• Will of the People World Tour (2022–2023)

• List of awards and nominations received by Muse
• List of Muse songs

{{Reflist}}

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