   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 its 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. in 2009, it was voted by kerrang! as the second-best album of the 21st century thus far. (muse's previous album, origin of symmetry, and their subsequent release, black holes and revelations, also appeared in the top fifty).{{cite web|url=http://www.ilxor.com/ilx/threadselectedcontrollerservlet?boardid=41&threadid=74402 |
2003_albums Albums_certified_gold_by_the_Canadian_Recording_Industry_Association Albums_certified_gold_by_the_Federation_of_the_Italian_Music_Industry Albums_certified_gold_by_the_International_Federation_of_the_Phonographic_Industry_of_Switzerland Albums_certified_gold_by_the_Recording_Industry_Association_of_America Albums_certified_platinum_by_the_Australian_Recording_Industry_Association Albums_certified_platinum_by_the_International_Federation_of_the_Phonographic_Industry Albums_certified_triple_platinum_by_the_British_Phonographic_Industry Albums_produced_by_John_Cornfield Albums_with_cover_art_by_Storm_Thorgerson English-language_albums Muse_(band)_albums