Will Of The People, the highly anticipated ninth studio album from Muse, is rapidly approaching, and the band is offering fans a taste of their most aggressive material to date. Their latest single, “Kill Or Be Killed,” marks a significant shift in intensity for the trio, having already become a fan favorite during their recent live performances.
“Kill Or Be Killed” serves as the fourth single from the upcoming record, joining previously released tracks “Will Of The People,” “Won’t Stand Down,” and “Compliance.” According to frontman Matt Bellamy, the song represents “Muse at their heaviest.” The band aimed to modernize their hard rock foundation, resulting in a track defined by double-bass drum patterns and even a signature death growl.
Bellamy noted that the lyrical themes were inspired by the dark intensity of Paul McCartney’s “Live And Let Die,” exploring how human adversity can trigger primal survival instincts. “Lyrically the song takes influence from my favorite Paul McCartney song ‘Live And Let Die’, a dark take on how life’s adversity can sometimes bring out the worst human instincts to survival at any costs,” Bellamy explained.
The band has been vocal about the sociopolitical undercurrents driving the new album. Bellamy suggests that the record serves as a commentary on the current state of global leadership and the potential for a new political paradigm. “Everyone knows we want a revolution, but we definitely don’t want a bunch of authoritarian lunatics… I think what we want is something completely new. I don’t think it exists out there at the moment, but I think there’s a new type of politics that could emerge,” he stated.
As Muse prepares to embark on a global tour in October—spanning from Los Angeles to Canada and the United Kingdom—fans are left to consider the band’s evolution. With nine albums now under their belt, the group continues to experiment with heavier, more visceral soundscapes.
