Muse Work On New Album

Teignmouth's intergalactic trio Muse have discussed their new album in a web-chat with fans, with the band promising that it will be their hardest to date.

From their origins as a slightly over the top, metal influenced act Muse have become one of the most outlandish and above all creative acts of the decade. Their hardcore legions of fans are utterly fanatical in their devotion to the group, and the web chat was a huge success for Muse.

Bassist Chris Wolstenholme confirmed that the band were hard at work on their fifth album. "It would be nice to have the album out in the second half of next year but we have not set ourselves any targets. It is more important for us to make the best album we have made to date, and if that means it comes out in 2010 then we don't mind."

The bassist also discussed the much rumored three-part symphony singer Matt Bellamy has been working on. "There is a new song in three parts, more of a symphony than a song, which I have been working on sporadically for many years," said the singer, answering another question.

"As a large percentage of the composition is orchestral, I have never wanted to collaborate with a string arranger as they may make it 'theirs'. So I have been arranging the orchestral elements myself, which is taking a long time. It should hopefully make the next album as the final three tracks."