{{short description|Dutch singer (born 1987)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Charlotte Wessels | image = File:HF2025CharlotteWessels 1.jpg | caption = Charlotte Wessels in 2025 | birth_name = Johanna Charlotte Wessels | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|5|13}} | origin = Zwolle, Netherlands | genre = <!-- Please add sourced genres --> | occupation = Singer, songwriter | years_active = 2004–present | label = | current_member_of = | past_member_of = {{hlist|Delain|Phantasma|To Elysium}} | website = }}
'''Johanna Charlotte Wessels''' (born 13 May 1987) is a Dutch musician, best known as the former lead vocalist for the symphonic metal band Delain.
Wessels met Martijn Westerholt in 2004, and was invited to restart Delain in 2005 when it originally was a studio project, becoming the lead vocalist of the band until her departure from the band in 2021. Shortly after she left Delain, she started her solo career that same year with the release of her debut solo album, ''Tales from Six Feet Under'', which was released in September. The following year, she released ''Tales from Six Feet Under, Vol. II'', a follow-up to her debut in October. In 2024, Wessels released her third solo album, ''The Obsession'', in September.
==Background== Wessels has been trained in both jazz singing and classical singing. She was first trained in jazz, but later, her instructor suggested classical singing to her. However, Wessels has stated that she found classical training to be very restrictive, and so she likes to do something "in between the classical and the jazz stuff, and if you look at classical music with high vocal lines, then you kind of get to gothic very soon!"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWNUV9U0_hw Delain Interview (Part 1) – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Career== ===To Elysium (2000–2005)=== She joined a gothic metal band named To Elysium around the age of fifteen or sixteen. She mentioned in an interview that her parents had to sign a contract because she was still underage.<ref name="crypticrock">{{cite web|title=Interview Charlotte Wessels of Delain|url=https://crypticrock.com/interview-charlotte-wessels-of-delain/|accessdate=12 June 2015|work=Cryptic Rock|date=30 May 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611024335/http://crypticrock.com/interview-charlotte-wessels-of-delain/|archivedate=11 June 2015}}</ref>
===Delain (2004–2021)=== thumb|upright=1.2|Wessels performing with Delain in 2016 Wessels became involved with Delain in 2004 when she met Martijn Westerholt formerly of Within Temptation. Since the band was meant to be a studio project only, Westerholt asked if she could write some lyrics and vocalize. She thought it was going to be a one-time thing. In 2005 they signed a deal with Roadrunner Records.<ref name="crypticrock"/><ref name="facebook">{{cite web|title=Facebook page| website=Facebook | url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlotte-Wessels/156346401053951?fref=ts|accessdate=5 June 2015}}</ref> She was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the band.<ref name="facebook"/>
She departed Delain in February 2021, and simultaneously announced that she would be launching a solo career.<ref>{{cite web |title=DELAIN's MARTIJN WESTERHOLT Announces End Of Band's Most Recent Lineup: 'The Others Have Chosen To Pursue Different Paths' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/delains-martijn-westerholt-announces-end-of-bands-most-recent-lineup-the-others-have-chosen-to-pursue-different-paths/ |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=15 February 2021 |date=15 February 2021}}</ref> In Wessels' statement on her departure, she wished the other departing members and the fans well:
{{quote|"I hope that Delain remains a positive force in everyone's lives. We Are The Others, always will be, and none of this changes that."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Delain splinter as four band members depart |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/delain-splinter-as-four-band-members-depart |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=21 March 2021 |language=en |date=15 February 2021}}</ref>}}
In May 2021 during an interview, she reflected on her departure from Delain in February, stating that she was grateful that she got to work with the other musicians in the band.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Looks Back On Career With DELAIN, Talks Leaving The Band And Working On Solo Music (Video) |url=https://bravewords.com/news/vocalist-charlotte-wessels-looks-back-on-career-with-delain-talks-leaving-the-band-and-working-on-solo-music-video |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=21 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
===Phantasma (2015–2017)=== Wessels, along with Georg Neuhauser from Serenity and Oliver Philipps from Everon, formed a symphonic rock group named Phantasma. They were signed to Napalm Records and released a concept album titled ''The Deviant Hearts''. Wessels not only sang on the album, but also wrote her debut novella called ''The Deviant Hearts'' especially for it. The novella is included with the album's physical release.<ref>[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/phantasma-feat-delain-serenity-everon-members-enter-dreamscape-lyric-video/ Phantasma Feat. Delain, Serenity, Everon Members: 'Enter Dreamscape' Lyric Video – Blabbermouth.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Solo career (2020–present)=== thumb|250px|Wessels performing at Hellfest 2025 In August 2020, Wessels released the single, "Lizzie" which features Alissa White-Gluz as part of a collaboration.<ref>{{cite web |title=ARCH ENEMY Vocalist ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ, DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS Release New Single / Video "Lizzie" |url=https://bravewords.com/news/arch-enemy-vocalist-alissa-white-gluz-delain-singer-charlotte-wessels-release-new-single-video-lizzie |website=BraveWords |access-date=9 March 2021 |language=en |date=18 August 2020}}</ref>
Following her departure from Delain, Wessels had released a solo single, "Soft Revolution" via her Patreon which was Song of the Month in January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiggins |first1=Keavin |title=Former Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Shares 'Soft Revolution' |url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/2021/March/08Former_Delain_Singer_Charlotte_Wessels_Shares_Soft_Revolution.shtml |website=antiMUSIC |access-date=9 March 2021 |date=8 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Returns With Solo Single / Video "Soft Revolution" |url=https://bravewords.com/news/former-delain-vocalist-charlotte-wessels-returns-with-solo-single-video-soft-revolution |website=BraveWords |access-date=9 March 2021 |language=en |date=8 March 2021}}</ref> On 14 May 2021, Wessels released a cover of Gerard McMahon's "Cry Little Sister", a song featured in the 1987 film ''The Lost Boys''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases Cover Of The Lost Boys Theme Song "Cry Little Sister" Via Patreon; Teaser Available |url=https://bravewords.com/news/former-delain-vocalist-charlotte-wessels-releases-cover-of-the-lost-boys-theme-song-cry-little-sister-via-patreon-teaser-available |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=19 May 2021 |language=en |date=14 May 2021}}</ref> On 30 June 2021, she released a music video of the single, "Superhuman".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases 'Superhuman' Music Video |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-delain-singer-charlotte-wessels-releases-superhuman-music-video/ |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=5 July 2021 |date=30 June 2021}}</ref>
On 1 June 2021, Wessels announced the title of her first studio album, ''Tales from Six Feet Under'', a collection of multiple genres ranging from indie pop to synth-infused rock. It was released on 17 September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS To Release Compilation Record, Tales From Six Feet Under, On Various Vinyl Editions |url=https://bravewords.com/news/former-delain-vocalist-charlotte-wessels-to-release-compilation-record-tales-from-six-feet-under-on-various-vinyl-editions |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=1 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> All of the songs were made in her home studio, where she wrote, produced, and performed all the instruments on the record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-DELAIN Singer CHARLOTTE WESSELS To Release 'Tales From Six Feet Under' Solo Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-delain-singer-charlotte-wessels-to-release-tales-from-six-feet-under-solo-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=1 June 2021 |date=1 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Charlotte Wessels To Release Compilation Record |url=https://folknrock.com/news/charlotte-wessels-to-release-compilation-record |website=Folk N Rock |access-date=1 June 2021 |date=1 June 2021}}</ref> Following the release of her solo album, she released her new song "Tonight" on 25 November 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former DELAIN Vocalist CHARLOTTE WESSELS Releases New Song "Tonight"; Teaser Available |url=https://bravewords.com/news/former-delain-vocalist-charlotte-wessels-releases-new-song-tonight-teaser-available |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=3 February 2022 |language=en |date=25 November 2021}}</ref>
On 28 June 2022, Wessels announced her second studio album, titled ''Tales from Six Feet Under, Vol. II'', which was released on 7 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Charlotte Wessels (Ex-Delain) Announces New Album, "Tales From Six Feet Under Vol II", out October 7 |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/charlotte-wessels-announces-new-album-tales-from-six-feet-under-vol-ii/ |website=Sonic Perspectives |access-date=5 July 2022 |date=28 June 2022}}</ref> Wessels also appeared on the EP ''The Alchemy Project'' by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, on the song "Sirens – Of Blood and Water", alongside Amalie Bruun. A music video for this song was released on 11 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels And Myrkur Come Together On New Epica Song 'Sirens - Of Blood And Water' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/simone-simons-charlotte-wessels-and-myrkur-come-together-on-new-epica-song-sirens-of-blood-and-water |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=14 November 2022 |language=en |date=12 November 2022}}</ref>
Wessels announced her third studio album, ''The Obsession'', which was released on 20 September 2024, and at the same time, announced the album's first single, "The Exorcism", which was released on 16 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vocalist Charlotte Wessels Reunites With Former Delain Bandmates For New Solo Album; September 2024 Release Date Confirmed |url=https://bravewords.com/news/vocalist-charlotte-wessels-reunites-with-former-delain-bandmates-for-new-solo-album-september-2024-release-date-confirmed |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=9 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Charlotte Wessels Reveals The Obsession Album Details: "The Exorcism" Single And Video Out Now |url=https://bravewords.com/news/charlotte-wessels-reveals-the-obsession-album-details-the-exorcism-single-and-video-out-now |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=16 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Wessels released four other singles to promote the album: "Chasing Sunsets",<ref>{{cite web |title=Charlotte Wessels Unveils "Chasing Sunsets" Single And Music Video |url=https://bravewords.com/news/charlotte-wessels-unveils-chasing-sunsets-single-and-music-video |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=12 July 2024 |language=en |date=13 June 2024}}</ref> "Dopamine",<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Teams Up With Epica's Simone Simons For New Single 'Dopamine' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ex-delain-singer-charlotte-wessels-teams-up-with-epicas-simone-simons-for-new-single-dopamine |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=12 July 2024 |language=en |date=11 July 2024}}</ref> "The Crying Room"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baldin |first1=Benedetta |title=Charlotte Wessels releases intense new single "The Crying Room" |url=https://chaoszine.net/charlotte-wessels-releases-intense-new-single-the-crying-room/ |website=Chaoszine |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=28 August 2024}}</ref> and "Ode to the West Wind".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baldin |first1=Benedetta |title=Charlotte Wessels joined by Alissa White-Gluz for new single "Ode to the West Wind" |url=https://chaoszine.net/charlotte-wessels-joined-by-alissa-white-gluz-for-new-single-ode-to-the-west-wind/ |website=Chaoszine |access-date=21 September 2024 |date=18 September 2024}}</ref>
==Influences== thumb|right|Wessels performing in 2024. When asked in 2014 who her influences are, Wessels said
{{cquote|My parents had quite good taste in music so I had some of the classic rock influences; Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, and Kate Bush. My brother really got me into metal, those were really the high days of Metallica. Actually, Toxicity by System of a Down is still one of my favorite records ever. Right now, I am really into the alternative rock scene, Radiohead is my favorite band ever. I adore Muse and Nick Cave. Then there is the corner of the great female songwriters like Tori Amos, Björk. That pretty much covers it. I can go on for hours but I think these are the few directions which have influenced me most.<ref name="crypticrock"/> }}
When asked in a Loudwire interview who she gets inspired by vocally she mentions Australian singer Sia, she admires Sia's voice and also her songwriting.<ref name="crypticrock"/><ref name="loudwire">{{cite web|title=Delain Singer Charlotte Wessels Talks New Album 'The Human Contradiction' + More| website=Loudwire | date=21 April 2014 | url=https://loudwire.com/delain-charlotte-wessels-new-album-the-human-contradiction-more/ |accessdate=12 June 2015}}</ref>
Wessels stated on her Instagram in 2018 that Dolores O'Riordan's voice was one of her main inspirations to start singing.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Personal life== She is a cousin of Dutch hardcore DJ ''DaY-már''.{{Citation needed|date=June 2015}} Wessels has an art history degree and also has a master's degree in gender studies.<ref name="sonic cathedral">{{cite web|title=Delain interview 2012|url=https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=674&Itemid=36|accessdate=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615040716/https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=674&Itemid=36|archive-date=15 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> She is a vegan.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Sabrina|author2=Guillaume|title=Interview with Charlotte Wessels (DELAIN)|url=http://metalchestofwonders.com/en/interview/charlotte-wessels-delain-2015-01-14/|website=metalchestofwonders.com|location=Paris, France|date=14 January 2015|quote=I've been aiming on having a complete vegan diet for a long time but I still cheat every now and then. Some things are very hard to get rid of even if there are plenty of good alternatives. I still cheat with cheese [...] Before going to the whole vegan thing, everybody told me : it's so hard, you're not going to be able to keep up. Actually, for 98% it's so easy.|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180102115906/http://metalchestofwonders.com/en/interview/charlotte-wessels-delain-2015-01-14/|archivedate=2 January 2018}}</ref> She considers herself a feminist<ref>{{cite web|last1=Westland|first1=Raymond|title=Charlotte Wessels Of Delain Talks To ThisIsNotAScene (Part 2)|url=http://www.thisisnotascene.com/2014/charlotte-wessels-delain-interview-part-2/|website=ThisIsNotAScene|date=11 April 2014|accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref> and she doesn't like the ''female-fronted metal'' term: "It's just really weird that the gender of one person in the band defines what kind of music you make! I think that it's one of the things that really indicates that the bias is still there."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Colgan|first1=Chris|title=Interview: Delain's Charlotte Wessels says new album is a fresh start|website=metalinsider.net|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/interview-delains-charlotte-wessels-says-new-album-is-a-fresh-start|accessdate=13 July 2017|date=25 March 2014}}</ref>
On 26 August 2017, Charlotte revealed that she married her partner after being together for twelve years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elcuarteldelmetal.es/2017/09/charlotte-wessels-de-delain-contrae.html|title=Charlotte Wessels de Delain contrae matrimonio|website=El Cuartel del Metal|accessdate=9 September 2017|language=Spanish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208221853/http://www.elcuarteldelmetal.es/2017/09/charlotte-wessels-de-delain-contrae.html|archive-date=8 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Discography== {{col-begin}} {{col-3}} '''Studio albums:''' * ''Tales from Six Feet Under'' (2021) * ''Tales from Six Feet Under, Vol. II'' (2022) * ''The Obsession'' (2024) {{col-3}}
===Delain=== '''Studio albums:''' * ''Lucidity'' (2006) * ''April Rain'' (2009) * ''We Are the Others'' (2012) * ''The Human Contradiction'' (2014) * ''Moonbathers'' (2016) * ''Apocalypse & Chill'' (2020)
'''EPs & Live albums:''' * ''Lunar Prelude'' (2016) * ''A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso'' (2017) * ''Hunter's Moon'' (2019) {{col-3}} ===Phantasma=== '''Studio albums:''' * ''The Deviant Hearts'' (2015) {{col-end}}
== Filmography == * ''Soaring Highs and Brutal Lows: The Voices of Women in Metal'' (2015)
==References== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== *{{cite book |last1=Kirtland |first1=Jill |title=Not Just Tits in a Corset: Celebrating Women in Metal |date=2014 |publisher=Jill Hughes Kirtland |isbn=978-0-9915015-0-2 }}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{Wikiquote}} * [http://www.charlottewessels.nl Charlotte Wessels official blog] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190221/http://www.delain.nl/profile_charlotte_wessels/ Charlotte Wessels on Delain's website] * [https://www.facebook.com/delainmusic/ Delain's official page]
{{Delain}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wessels, Charlotte}} Category:1987 births Category:Dutch heavy metal singers Category:Dutch women singer-songwriters Category:Dutch singer-songwriters Category:Feminist artists Category:Feminist musicians Category:Women heavy metal singers Category:Living people Category:People from Zwolle Category:21st-century Dutch singers Category:21st-century Dutch women singers Category:Delain members