If all their cod-philosophical pronouncements on astrological phenomena and the end of the world are to be believed - cue song titles 'Time Is Running Out' and 'Blackout' - Muse are determined to go out with a bang.
With their recent 'Absolution' album hurtling straight to the No.1 spot they've stepped up to arena size venues with effortless ease. Whereas many of their contemporaries would find their sound lost in Wembley's cavernous structure, Muse's music is powerfully epic in it's scope and vision - and yet, incomprehensibly, there are only three of them.
It's no surprise such a huge buzz surrounds their live shows. From the opening military drum roll and crashing piano chords of 'Apocalypse Please' to the closing guitar shriek of 'Plug In Baby' we are treated to more big intros and frenzied crescendos than most bands manage in a lifetime. The crowd pump their fists, mosh, surf, and in some cases even pass out.
New single 'Hysteria' exemplifies the addictive nature of Muse - the rumbling bassline, neat guitar hooks and Matt Bellamy's incredible vocal range - from deep guttural wail to shrieking falsetto. The even better 'Newborn' has Bellamy throwing himself across the stage theatrically, pulling overblown axe wielding shapes.
You'd never question his sincerity though, considering the band's incredible work rate - a showman perhaps, but he's in no mood to hang around for accolades. The only lull in proceedings occurs when the diminutive frontman gets stuck in camp space operatic mode on his keyboard that lights up comically as he plays - but to be fair, it's probably the only time he allows himself to catch some breath.
The long-held accusations that Muse are merely Radiohead copyists carries less weight as the years pass. Like Radiohead they know how to pen a tune but their sound is more easily defined - a mix of overblown operatic rock a la Queen and an altogether harder almost industrial guitar sound, particularly emanating from Chris Wolstenhome's bass guitar.
As the final chords of 'Plug In Baby' ring out, the scrawny Bellamy drags an amp twice his size across the stage and proceeds to jump up and down on the object of his scorn. Yes Muse are a touch ridiculous, but for a band with so much enthusiasm for their art it would be churlish to condemn their playful antics.
