Muse inspired by 'Achtung Baby'

Muse's new album is influenced by U2.

The band supported the 'Elevation' group on their 360° Tour in 2011 and the experience inspired them when it came to recording their new album 'The 2nd Law'.

Frontman Matt Bellamy told Classic Rock magazine: "We toured with U2 last year in South America. And there's definitely a little bit of influence come on to this album, a little bit of [1991 album] 'Achtung Baby' here and there."

While they were recording 'The 2nd Law' Matt - who is joined in the group by Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard - tweeted it would be "a Christian gangsta rap jazz odyssey with some ambient

rebellious dubstep," and while it was sent in jest, he hasn't ruled out pursuing a rap direction in the future.

He told Classic Rock magazine: "That tweet I sent was more like a joke. There's definitely no Christian music on this album. Gangsta rap… I think that's the one genre we can never really go near, but you never know. Dom's yet to write a song, so who knows, he may come up with some gangsta rap on the next album.

"It's a very diverse album. And every song has been produced very specifically and differently to whatever is best for the song. I think it's definitely our most diverse album."

'The 2nd Law' is released on October 1.