Absolution Tour

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Lore & Background

The release centers on the band's headline slot at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival, a performance that defined their status as a major live act. The setlist captures the raw intensity of the night, featuring tracks like "Hysteria," "New Born," and "Sing for Absolution." Notably, while "Citizen Erased" and "Stockholm Syndrome" were performed during the gig, both were omitted from this specific DVD release. The footage also includes hidden extras: "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" and "Endlessly," which can only be accessed by selecting the "X" option on the extras menu. This detail adds a layer of exclusivity for dedicated viewers seeking every moment captured.

In Their Own Story

The main narrative of the DVD is the Glastonbury 2004 performance, running from "Hysteria" through to "Blackout." The tracklist includes specific durations for each song, such as "Butterflies and Hurricanes" at 6:11 and "Time Is Running Out" at 4:02. Interspersed with the main set are bonus features filmed across different locations in 2003 and 2004. Viewers can see "Fury" recorded live at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, and "The Small Print" and "Stockholm Syndrome" from Earls Court in London. The tour footage also extends to Cincinnati with "The Groove in the States," filmed at Top Cats, creating a global snapshot of the band's 2004 activities.

Reader's Guide

To fully experience Absolution Tour, viewers must navigate the extras menu carefully. Selecting the "X" option reveals two hidden tracks: "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" and "Endlessly," both recorded live at Wembley Arena in London in 2003. The main feature is strictly the Glastonbury 2004 set, which omits certain performed songs like "Citizen Erased." The bonus section offers a geographic tour of the band's 2004 schedule, including Los Angeles, London, and Cincinnati. Each track includes precise timing, such as "The Groove in the States" at 9:52 and "Stockholm Syndrome" (Earls Court) at 7:15. The personnel listed for these performances are Matt Bellamy on lead vocals, guitar, and piano; Chris Wolstenholme on bass, backing vocals, and keyboards on "Blackout"; and Dominic Howard on drums and percussion.

Did You Know?

• The DVD was dedicated to William Howard, Dominic Howard's father, who died shortly after the band's Glastonbury performance.
• "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" and "Endlessly" are hidden extras that require selecting the "X" option on the menu to view.
• "Citizen Erased" and "Stockholm Syndrome" were performed at Glastonbury 2004 but omitted from the DVD release.

Production Ambition

The production of this video album was a significant undertaking to document the band's headlining Glastonbury set. Released on 12 December 2005, it stands as the second live video album in Muse's discography. The release was dedicated to William Howard, Dominic Howard's father, who died shortly after the band's performance at Glastonbury. This dedication adds a poignant layer of personal history to the technical achievement of capturing the festival headlining slot.

Recording Challenges

The challenge in compiling this release involved curating the Glastonbury footage while acknowledging omissions. Specifically, "Citizen Erased" and "Stockholm Syndrome" were performed at Glastonbury but left off the final cut. Additionally, integrating the hidden tracks required specific menu navigation, as "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" and "Endlessly" are not immediately visible on standard menus. The bonus features were sourced from various venues including Wiltern Theatre, Earls Court, Top Cats, and Wembley Arena, requiring the synchronization of different recording dates and locations into a cohesive package.

Sonic Innovation

The audio-visual presentation captures the specific sonic signatures of Muse's live performance during this period. The tracklist details exact timings that reflect the band's pacing, from the 3:53 duration of "Bliss" to the expansive 9:52 runtime of "The Groove in the States." Chris Wolstenholme is credited with playing keyboards on "Blackout," highlighting the layered instrumentation present in their live shows. The recording preserves the raw energy of the Glastonbury crowd and the precision of the band's execution across diverse venues.

Commercial Impact

Released on 12 December 2005, Absolution Tour serves as a historical document for fans of the band's mid-2000s era. While specific sales figures are not detailed in the source, its status as the second live video album and the inclusion of a headlining Glastonbury set mark it as a significant release in their catalog. The dedication to William Howard ensures the release carries emotional weight for the fanbase, commemorating a tragedy that occurred immediately following one of the band's career-defining performances.