Absolution is the third studio album by the English alternative rock band Muse
It was released on 15 September 2003 in Japan
On 22 September 2003 in the United Kingdom on Mushroom Records and A&E Records and on 23 March 2004 in the United States by East West Records and Taste Media
The album followed up on it's predecessor's diverse musical tendencies and elaborate sound
While also having a more focused and consistent theme and aesthetic throughout
Absolution has a noticeably darker and heavier tone musically
With a lyrical focus on the theological and apocalyptic concepts
The album reached number one in the UK Album Charts
It also yielded the band's first top 10 single hit
With Time Is Running Out peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart