Since the album’s trailer hit YouTube in June, fans from around the world have been guessing how far Muse had strayed from their classic prog-rock roots. The trailer and subsequent interviews lodged the idea firmly in fans’ heads that The 2nd Law would likely lean toward the band’s new influence: dubstep.

As the weeks rolled on and the threesome from Devon, England began to lift the veil of secrecy, it became clear that dubstep only served as inspiration for a few tracks, one of which was the robotic-sounding “Unsustainable,” not the album’s overall feel. Fears of a dubstep album were finally laid to rest with the release of “Survival,” the official theme of the 2012 London Olympic Games. The song arrived with the bombastic guitars fans longed for.

Further proof the band hadn’t jumped head first into the dance trend was the release of the album’s first official single, “Madness.” The soft sung, yet deeply powerful ballad Matt Bellamy singled out as one their very best, turned out to be pure Muse. “It’s a real surprise song for this album, said the frontman. “It’s probably my favorite song that I’ve ever written.”

One listen will reveal the album’s varied styles. “It’s our most diverse record yet,” says Bellamy in a recent interview with KROQ-Los Angeles’ Stryker.

In advance of The 2nd Law’s release October 2nd, fans can stream the album in its entirety via iTunes.

The 2nd Law Tracklist

1. Supremacy
2. Madness
3. Panic Station
4. Prelude
5. Survival
6. Follow Me
7. Animals
8. Explorers
9. Big Freeze
10. Save Me
11. Liquid State
12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable
13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System

Following the release of the album, Muse will launch into a lengthy tour, hitting the U.S. in 2013.

– Jay tilles, CBS Local