Former Delain vocalist Charlotte Wessels and her band The Obsession have announced their new album, Mute Swan Empire, set for release on February 5, 2027, via Napalm Records.
The 15-track concept album follows 2024’s The Obsession and explores themes of climate change, social injustice and humanity’s responses to an uncertain future. Each song represents a different character or perspective, examining reactions ranging from denial and anger to hope and connection.
“I didn’t set out to write a concept record from the start, but somewhere along the way, I began to realise that all the latest songs I’d written were connected,” Wessels explained.
“I didn’t want an album that simply points fingers or offers easy answers. I wanted to explore the contradictions, the uncomfortable grey areas, and the possibility that we can change.”
Mute Swan Empire was produced by Wessels and Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities, with additional arrangements by guitarist Timo Somers. The album also features cello contributions from Elianne Anemaat and orchestral and keyboard arrangements by Vikram Shankar.
The release will coincide with Wessels’ first European and UK headlining tour with The Obsession, kicking off February 4 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. Ad Infinitum vocalist Melissa Bonny will provide support on all dates except Essen.
Before the tour, Wessels and her band will perform two shows in South America this December.
Mute Swan Empire track listing:
1. Incubus
2. In Leta Via
3. Tempest
4. After Us The Flood
5. Good Girl (If You’re Ready To Die)
6. The Hermit Song
7. Emergency Kit
8. One Day They Will Come For You
9. Weeping Madonna
10. This Is Not An Opinion
11. The Villain
12. Let The Music Decide
13. Incantations
14. Starling
15. Bells Of Lynn
Charlotte Wessels & The Obsession tour dates:
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2026:
December 12 – São Paulo, Brazil – Liberation Festival
December 15 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – El Teatrito
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2027 – Mute Swan Empire Tour (with Melissa Bonny except where noted):
February 4 – Sint-Niklaas, Belgium – Casino
February 5 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
February 6 – Glasgow, UK – Slay
February 7 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
February 9 – Paris, France – La Machine Du Moulin Rouge
February 10 – Zurich, Switzerland – Papiersaal
February 12 – Milan, Italy – Legend Club
February 13 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Halle
February 14 – Zlín, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock Cafe
February 15 – Vienna, Austria – Szene Wien
February 17 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
February 18 – Krakow, Poland – Hype Park
February 19 – Leipzig, Germany – Werk 2
February 20 – Hamburg, Germany – Gruenspan
February 21 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
February 23 – Berlin, Germany – Lido
February 25 – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-Saal
February 26 – Essen, Germany – Weststadthalle (without Melissa Bonny)
February 27 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg Ronda
