Music Folks
Muse: The Devon Trio Who Made Rock Epic Again
October 23, 2026 · by Music Folks
Muse are a three-piece from Teignmouth, Devon, known for turning big-sky rock, classical flourishes and a theatrical live show into arena-sized hits. They have now topped the UK albums chart eight times in a row, and their tenth album arrived in June 2026.
Quick Facts
- Formed: 1994
- From: Teignmouth, Devon, England
- Members: Matt Bellamy (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass), Dominic Howard (drums)
- Genre: Alternative rock, progressive rock
- Key albums: Origin of Symmetry (2001), Absolution (2003), Black Holes and Revelations (2006), The Resistance (2009), The Wow! Signal (2026)
- Awards: Two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album (The Resistance and Drones), two Brit Awards for Best British Live Act (2005, 2007)
From Devon to Maverick
The band began in 1994 as Rocket Baby Dolls, after Bellamy joined Howard’s group and Wolstenholme came on as bassist. After winning a local battle of the bands they changed the name to Muse and left Teignmouth. They signed with Maverick Records in December 1998 and released their debut, Showbiz, in 1999. Origin of Symmetry followed in 2001 and included a cover of “Feeling Good.”
Becoming a Stadium Band
Absolution (2003) was the first of what would become a long streak of UK No. 1 albums, with “Hysteria” and “Time Is Running Out” among its best-known songs. Black Holes and Revelations (2006) reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 9 in the US, and carried “Supermassive Black Hole.”
The Resistance (2009) reached No. 3 in the US and topped charts in 19 countries, earning the band a Grammy. The 2nd Law (2012) peaked at No. 2 in the US, and its song “Survival” was the official song of the London 2012 Olympics. Drones (2015) topped the charts in the UK, US and Australia and won the band a second Grammy for Best Rock Album. Simulation Theory (2018) and Will of the People (2022) continued the run.
The Wow! Signal
Their tenth album, The Wow! Signal, came out on June 26, 2026, with most tracks produced by Dan Lancaster, who has toured with the band since 2022. Music Week reported that it went to No. 1 on the UK albums chart with 34,933 chart units, making Muse the first group, and the second act overall, to score eight consecutive No. 1 albums. A North American tour began in July, with a European arena run set for November.
Away from the band, Wolstenholme announced a solo project called Chromes in August 2024. As of October 2026, Muse remain active, and the November European dates are the next chance to see where the new songs sit alongside the older favorites.