The Obsession album by Charlotte Wessels gets the deluxe treatment.

Release Date: 24th October 2025

Label: Napalm Records

Format: digital / LP / CD

THE BACKSTORY

Charlotte Wessels will be best known to many as the (previous) singer for Dutch symphonic metal outfit, Delain. To many the two will always be synonymous, although Charlotte left back in 2021. However, as well as her work with Delain, Charlotte had been recording solo work in her home studio. She began releasing these as a Song of the Month on her Patreon site. These covered a wide style of genres but were typically things that perhaps wouldn’t have been appropriate for Delain.

After a while, and after leaving Delain, a collection of these were released as an album entitled Tales From Six Feet Under. The process and monthly songs continued, culminating in Tales From Six Feet Under, Vol. II, Again showcasing a variety of styles, but perhaps containing more tracks with the more familiar symphonic metal direction. 

FAST FORWARD

Fast forward a couple of years to September 2024 and we had the next chapter, The Obsession which saw Charlotte’s sound and solo career continue to evolve. Here we have a reissue of that album, complete with three live recordings and a couple of reworked tracks. For this album, Charlotte was joined by ex-Delain colleagues Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums) as well as Nina van Beelen (keys, backing vocals) and cello by Elianne Anemaat.

The opening track Chasing Sunsets, makes it clear that this the album is heading back in a heavier direction. Firmly back into symphonic metal territory, Charlotte’s distinctive vocals sounding exquisite. Tracks such as ’The Exorcism, and Ode To The West Wind (with Alisa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy on guest vocals) keep things heavy, while tracks such as Praise and Dopamine (with guest vocals from Simone Simons of Epica) are little more upbeat (despite the latters subject matter!). There is an extended version of the brooding, emotive instrumental Breathe which is followed by a reworking of Soft Revolution and Backup Plan. The latter feature guest vocals from Asger Mygind of Vola. There is then a mellow version of Dopamine before the re-issue is closed out with three live recordings from Dynamo Metalfest that complete the Deluxe Edition.

PLAYING LIVE

I’d imagine most of Charlotte’s fans will already own The Obsession, but if not this is an essential purchase. Even if you do already own it, the re-workings and additional tracks make it worthwhile. I can’t wait to hear some of these tracks in the live environment. Charlotte returns to the UK early next year and I encourage you to get along if you’ve made it this far through the review. 

Here’s Backup Plan with Asger Mygind :

Charlotte Wessels online: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube

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