Former Delain frontwoman Charlotte Wessels is set to unveil her brand new solo album, The Obsession, due out September 20th via Napalm Records. After being the voice of Delain for over 15 years, the artist is now taking a solo turn, exploring new musical avenues while staying true to her roots. In an exclusive interview with MetalZone, Charlotte Wessels shares behind-the-scenes insights into the making of her album, her newfound artistic freedom, and her upcoming tour with Vola.
An emotional first single: The Exorcism
The album’s first single, The Exorcism, was chosen to lead the way into The Obsession, a choice Charlotte did not take lightly. “The Exorcism was a natural choice as the first single. I was hesitating between this one and Chasing Sunset, but the visual dimension tipped the balance”she explains. Indeed, the video and the photos of the single played a decisive role: “The visuals of The Exorcism felt more authentic to me, while Chasing Sunset had a more ‘princess’ feel to it, which didn’t fit with what I wanted to show first.”
She also remembers the exact moment when the vocal melody for The Exorcism came to her. “I was working on another song, but I couldn’t finish it. I had to submit a new song in two days for my Patreon community. So I decided to start over, and The Exorcism was born almost in one go. This song is one of my favorites on the album, and even today, when I sing it, I can easily find the emotion that created it.”
Deep inspirations: between music and obsessions
The album’s title, The Obsession, reflects the deep themes explored by Charlotte Wessels in this project. She evokes a form of catharsis through musical writing. “For me, writing music is a way to transform raw and intense emotions into something more beautiful. Even if the problem remains unsolved, the simple fact of having created a song from that emotion makes the situation more bearable.”
This creative process is sometimes driven by urgency, as she humorously admits: “Songwriting isn’t always inspired. Sometimes I panic because of deadlines, and I just have to finish the arrangements. But at the heart of every song, there’s always a cathartic moment that gives it meaning.”
Charlotte also shares her experience with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a diagnosis that surprised her. “At first, I didn’t recognize myself in this diagnosis. I had a very stereotypical image of OCD because of the representations in popular culture. For me, it’s mainly the mental obsessions that are the most striking.”
From Delain to artistic freedom
After Delain’s split, Charlotte had the opportunity to venture into uncharted musical territories. “I had songs that didn’t fit with Delain, and my Patreon gave me a space to share them. After the breakup, I wanted to experiment with other genres, but I quickly reintegrated elements of Symphonic Metal.”
Producing his own album was also an important step in his solo journey. “I always wanted to learn production, but it wasn’t a priority in Delain. With the pandemic, I had time to dedicate myself to it. I produced this album, but I also owe a lot to my team, especially Guido, who did an incredible job on the mixes.”
A tour with Vola in November
In addition to the album release, Charlotte Wessels is set to tour with the band Vola in November, and she is looking forward to the prospect. “I’m a huge Vola fan, and I’m really excited to be touring with them. We’ll be stopping off in Paris at Le Petit Bain, and I can’t wait to see my French fans again. It’s been five years since I’ve done a full tour, so this is a really special moment for me.”
French-speaking concerts:
- November 16 – Zurich, CH: Komplex
- November 21 – Paris, FR: Petit Bain
- November 27 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU: Rockhal
Varied influences, from Rachmaninov to Zeal and Ardor
When it comes to her own musical influences, Charlotte Wessels is as eclectic as she is creative. “I’m listening to a lot of stuff at the moment. The new Vola stuff, of course, the latest Zeal and Ardor, but also classical stuff like Rachmaninov, especially when I’m feeling a bit ‘dramatic’. And if I feel like dancing, it’s Tchaikovsky.”
Charlotte concludes with a message for her French fans: “I hope you enjoy The Obsession, and I can’t wait to see you on stage in Paris. Thanks for your support and see you soon!”
