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Black Holes and Revelations

by Muse

Released: July 03, 2006

Alternative rock, progressive rock, space rock, hard rock, electronic rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Black Holes and Revelations" is the fourth studio album by English rock band Muse, first released on 3 July 2006 through Warner Bros. Like their previous albums, it features political and dystopian undertones, with lyrics covering topics such as political corruption, alien invasion, revolution, and New World Order conspiracies, as well as more conventional love songs. It received a Mercury Prize nomination and appeared in the 2007 version of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Inside the Recording

It was produced by Rich Costey over four months in New York City, London, Milan, and southern France.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Records and Muse's Helium-3 imprint

Records and Muse's Helium-3 imprint.

The album saw a change in style for…

The album saw a change in style for Muse, with influences including Depeche Mode, Millionaire, Lightning Bolt, Sly and the Family Stone, and music from southern Italy.

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Essential Tracks

Map of the Problematique

The singles "Supermassive Black Hole" and "Knights of Cydonia" were both UK top-10 hits, while "Starlight", "Map of the Problematique", and "Invincible" charted within the top 25.

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Explore the Album

Muse - Black Holes and Revelations

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Then

Reception

The album entered the charts at number one in five countries, including the United Kingdom, and in the top 10 in several other countries. It was later certified quadruple platinum in the UK and platinum in the US. The singles "Supermassive Black Hole" and "Knights of Cydonia" were both UK top-10 hits, while "Starlight", "Map of the Problematique", and "Invincible" charted within the top 25.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Black Holes and Revelations" is the fourth studio album by English rock band Muse, first released on 3 July 2006 through Warner Bros. Records and Muse's Helium-3 imprint. It was produced by Rich Costey over four months in New York City, London, Milan, and southern France.

The album saw a change in style for Muse, with influences including Depeche Mode, Millionaire, Lightning Bolt, Sly and the Family Stone, and music from southern Italy. Like their previous albums, it features political and dystopian undertones, with lyrics covering topics such as political corruption, alien invasion, revolution, and New World Order conspiracies, as well as more conventional love songs.

Black Holes and Revelations received positive reviews and appeared on many year-end lists. It received a Mercury Prize nomination and appeared in the 2007 version of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.