Photo: WENN/Hans-Peter van Velthoven
With that hotly-anticipated 20th anniversary tour currently seeming like just a wet dream in the mind of Muse's hardcore massive, all seemed to have gone quiet on the front of the Devonshire space-rock trio. Then, it emerged that Matt, Dom and Chris have kicked off 2014 by signing a new deal with the management team behind Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Keys.
The 'Madness' stars have been managed Brontone founder Anthony Addis outside North America for over a decade, but have now left to sign an international deal with Q Prime - who have managed the band in North America since they released Absolution in 2003. But what can this mean for Muse?
No one loves a conspiracy theory quite like Muse fans, so we're taking a brief look at what this new management change could mean for the future of the band. Could it carry Muse to 'icon' status, or perhaps even further - into outer space?
Going it alone
Muse's six album deal with Warner Bros. came to an end after 2012's The 2nd Law. Many believe that Muse are likely to release future music via their own record label, Helium-3 - a sub-division of Warner formed by the band before the release of Blackholes And Revelations. Interestingly, Metallica are also managed by Q Prime - who took control of their own affairs by forming Blackened Recordings in 2012. Could Q Prime be the perfect team to lead Muse in conquering their own future?
Doing whatever they like
If they do form their own record label, Muse will have the infrastructure to do whatever the hell they want. From game-changing live shows and 'ultra-HD' concert movies to a shamelessly taste-free operatic sound and setting fire to the London 2012 Olympics - bands don't come much more bat-shit mental than Muse. It looks the band have hopes for their work to cross mediums. As well as having no one but themselves to answer to when it comes to their musical output, the future could see Muse releasing their own movies - just like Metallica did with Through The Never. Muse now have the perfect team to do what they bloody well choose.
An exciting new roster
By leaving Brontone management, the only remaining acts with the management team are The Pogues and Pulled Apart By Horses. Now, they share a management team with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, The Black Keys and many more. It's safe to say they're in pretty good company, and the future can only bring bigger things.
Establishing icon status
It doesn't get much bigger than selling out Wembley Stadium or headlining Glastonbury, but Muse have always been seen as the eccentric outsiders that forced their way into the mainstream. Now, they're getting to a stage in their career where they break out of that and approach 'institution' status. They're going to need the management that can enforce that.
Going intergalactic
What else could have sweetened the deal for Muse to part ways with the management team that handled them for over a decade? Maybe they promised that they could finally get Muse that coveted gig in space? Maybe they just gave Matt another jet pack? Only time will tell...
Below: Becoming Supermassive - the 23 defining moments of Muse's career
