Black Holes & Revelations
by Muse
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 511 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 470 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 511
  3. Negative: 19 out of 511

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  1. msteck
    Aug 31, 2022
    10
    Muse pulls no punches on this record, incorporating fantastic space rock extravagance into their classic alt-rock stylings.
  2. AndrewV
    Jul 18, 2006
    9
    wanted to give 9.5 this album is absolutely astonishing. from the moment the first note is heard to the epic last track (one of my favs by the way) i have chills. The only thing is that it ends too soon, thus the 9.5
  3. MatthewC
    Jul 5, 2006
    9
    Amazing! their best album. Assassin is my fav muse song of all time!
  4. MarvAlbert
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    Muse always amazes me. The first track sets the tone of the album perfectly as you go through the ups and downs and different moods of the rest of the tracks. I usually hate any efx but Muse uses them to perfection. If you havn't already get "Absolution" it's also incredible!!!
  5. KateB.
    Jul 7, 2007
    9
    I love this album, I just wish sometimes it would be a little more subtle. Other than that, I think it is brilliant, and would recommend it to anyone!
  6. AndyH
    Jun 30, 2006
    9
    Don't judge it straightaway. Besides some obvious standouts it didn't blow me away until the third listen. If you like Muse, you'll love this. They are going to be awesome live!!!
  7. OobahJoobah
    Jul 11, 2006
    9
    The music on this album is of a high quality, and the only thing stopping it getting a 10 from me are the lyrics, which are pretty dire. however, matt has always written pretty dire lyrics, and if you're clever you just choose to ignore them. But even then, muse can be commended to a certain extent for their lyrics. For despite being poetically disabled, muse come out with some of The music on this album is of a high quality, and the only thing stopping it getting a 10 from me are the lyrics, which are pretty dire. however, matt has always written pretty dire lyrics, and if you're clever you just choose to ignore them. But even then, muse can be commended to a certain extent for their lyrics. For despite being poetically disabled, muse come out with some of the most audacious statements...showing that they truly have no fear. However, i want their next record to be wholly instrumental, because in the case of muse, the music speaks louder and says more than anything matt has ever written.… Expand
  8. mioR
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    Amazing, but not utterly amazing. Muse have done it again, they'e put out yet ANOTHER epic and beautiful album. Black Holes and Revelations gets a 9 for me, but its not better than OoS and Absolution
  9. ethanc
    Jul 12, 2006
    9
    a great album from start to end rivaled only by absolution
  10. AndyM
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    I felt Muse had reached the end of the road with Absolution. Whatever the merits of that argument, this is a stunning blow to those critics who have dismissed them as Indie music's answer to The Scissor Sisters. Six or seven truly standout tracks, each utterly different to the other. Quite amazing.
  11. PaulF
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    After listening to their hugely dissapointing third album (absolution), I didn't have high expectations for this one. How I was wrong. This is definatley miles better than absolution and sits right up there with origin of symmetry. BH&R has you gripped from the fantastic stadium filler 'Take a Bow' to the fantastic 'Knights of Cydonia' (the guitar riff at the end After listening to their hugely dissapointing third album (absolution), I didn't have high expectations for this one. How I was wrong. This is definatley miles better than absolution and sits right up there with origin of symmetry. BH&R has you gripped from the fantastic stadium filler 'Take a Bow' to the fantastic 'Knights of Cydonia' (the guitar riff at the end of this song is particularly worth a mention). It's so good to hear them back to their best.… Expand
  12. MattD.
    Jul 18, 2006
    9
    Gloriously grandiose, and unlike any album I've ever heard!
  13. EarlyStorm
    Aug 25, 2006
    9
    This band is exciting - this Cd is exciting. I love it!
  14. Babbleflaff
    Aug 31, 2006
    9
    Love the Album. One question annoys me though. Why the hell do they always get compared to Radiohead :| It's just annoying now.
  15. DaraghL.
    Sep 17, 2007
    9
    Brilliant.
  16. MPP.
    Jul 23, 2008
    9
    Anyone who thinks MUSE sounds like RADIOHEAD in any way, you should go to an ear doctor asap because you obviously have lousy hearing. This album is phenomenal and ranks only behind their best album, "Origin Of Symmetry". It's not just over the top, bombastic prog rock like some people like to say. Explain tracks like "Hoo Doo" or "City of Delusion". If anything, those are flamenco Anyone who thinks MUSE sounds like RADIOHEAD in any way, you should go to an ear doctor asap because you obviously have lousy hearing. This album is phenomenal and ranks only behind their best album, "Origin Of Symmetry". It's not just over the top, bombastic prog rock like some people like to say. Explain tracks like "Hoo Doo" or "City of Delusion". If anything, those are flamenco inspired. Lets not forget that MUSE is the best live band on the planet.… Expand
  17. RSkells
    Jun 27, 2006
    9
    Its outstanding. Muse have been able to fit a range of subject matter and stylistic diversity into this album. one of the best albums of the year.
  18. NegativeCreep
    Jul 10, 2006
    9
    this is something extraordinary... it´s a bit more pop, but I´m not ashamed from this kind of pop...
  19. UserX
    Jul 13, 2006
    9
    Pretty goddamn awesome.
  20. AM
    Jul 18, 2006
    9
    This album is excellent. Were some of you expecting Absolution Part II or what?
  21. AnthonyN
    Jul 2, 2006
    9
    This is probably Muse's best overall record. It has plenty of bangin' tracks much like Origin of Symmetry did but I feel like they've matured to have their own sound, another step pass Absolution, where they get rid of their Radiohead-mimicing past. Exo-Politics is fantastic.
  22. TomM
    Jul 31, 2006
    9
    I was a little disappointed on the first listen, partly because the harmonics etc didn't seem as clever as previous albums (some of the melodies were slightly predictable). But it steadily grew on me to an addiction stretching to switching it onto 'repeat', and listening to the different components proved me wrong and made it apparent how much talent Muse have
  23. MattW
    Aug 10, 2006
    9
    Musically, Wow! Its just the best band in the world. Its not quite Origin, but itwould be unfair to expect it to be. 1 criticism, no Hysteria or Stockholm Syndrome equivalent apart from Assassin, which still isnt that similar. So what though eh!
  24. DavidS
    Aug 17, 2006
    9
    I've never been a fan of Muse. I've always considered them a Radiohead ripoff. My girlfriend pleaded with me to take a listen to this cd, and wow! It's nothing like their previous efforts. It oozes originality and creativity! Every song is gorgeous, layered and full of hooks. I guess I'll be eating crow for a while. I can't wait to catch them live at V Festival! I've never been a fan of Muse. I've always considered them a Radiohead ripoff. My girlfriend pleaded with me to take a listen to this cd, and wow! It's nothing like their previous efforts. It oozes originality and creativity! Every song is gorgeous, layered and full of hooks. I guess I'll be eating crow for a while. I can't wait to catch them live at V Festival! Muse, you've converted me!… Expand
  25. MadelineH
    Aug 21, 2006
    9
    great!!!
  26. ScottW.
    Aug 19, 2007
    9
    The best of 2006. Heavy music has to sound good for me to put up with it, and this dose it for me. I could listen to this whole albume from the start to finish and then some. You don't like harder music?Well it sucks to be you, in this case.
  27. JustinK.
    Apr 7, 2008
    9
    with Black Holes and Revelations, Muse have reinvented the meaning of the word "genre". Every song is different in its own respects, and almost every song is noteworthy. Only muse could make a song about a natural space phenomenon be so cool (supermassive blackhole).
  28. DomW
    Aug 26, 2009
    9
    Would love to give it a 10 but nothing is perfect is it? For some reason 'Map of the Problematique' brings me to tears of joy when I listen to it - almost like a biological reaction. Any band which can take me to such incredible soaring highs in a dead sober state must have some sort of magical alchemy. Can't wait for their next album.
  29. GeorgeR.
    Sep 13, 2009
    9
    It's almost, ALMOST perfect. There are little things they've missed out and should have replaced, but I'd happily listen to this over and over again.
  30. JimmyB
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    Excellent stuff- from the very opening, you realize this is going to be something of massive proportions. Admittedly, Soldier's Poem is perhaps a little superfluous, and Invincible still hasn't convinced me, yet the rest of the album is of such high quality that it has to take a 9. The album that Absolution should have been.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2006
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Entertaining and rabble-rousing, daft and deadly serious, it's a fantastic record, with almost limitless appeal.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    70
    Black Holes and Revelations isn’t a perfect record but it’s a worthy addition to an already stellar catalog. [#14]
  3. The Guardian
    80
    It shouldn't work, but Bellamy's mania is so convincingly realised that even the most avowed Muse refusenik may have to finally concede defeat.
    Read full review
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