Acclaimed musician, songwriter and multidisciplinary artist Chelsea Wolfe has announced The Dark, her ninth studio album, set for digital release on August 21 via Loma Vista Recordings, with CD and vinyl editions arriving on September 18. Alongside the announcement, Wolfe has shared "Cold," the album's opening track, accompanied by its official music video.
Described as an album steeped in mystery, symbolism and a profound sense of refuge, The Dark was inspired by the idea of venturing into the forest at one's darkest moment and becoming the very thing one fears in order to find courage. Wolfe wrote the record alongside longtime creative partner Ben Chisholm and songwriter Jennifer Decilveo, embracing a more restrained creative approach that stripped away layers of production to place the songs themselves at the forefront.
The album also features an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam), Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age), Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Justin Meldal-Johnsen, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and St. Vincent.
The album also brings together notable guest musicians such as Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam), Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age), Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Justin Meldal-Johnsen, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and St. Vincent.
Speaking about the album's central themes, Chelsea Wolfe said it reflects on personal accountability rather than assigning blame.
"The ghosts are haunted by the living just as much as the living are haunted by the ghosts. On this album, I'm not pointing the finger at anyone. I'm taking responsibility. Someone who may have been a toxic presence in my life... maybe I was bad for them, too. It's ok to move away from these types of connections that only seem to cause confusion for both parties, after a long stretch of trying to work it out."
Across its ten tracks, The Dark showcases what Wolfe describes as some of her strongest songwriting to date, pairing deeply personal lyrics with one of her most confident vocal performances. Each song is conceived as an invocation—an experience intended to connect with primal forces while exploring transformation, grief, spirituality and the unseen energies that shape human life.
Last month, Wolfe launched this new era with GHOSTS, a collection of five fragrances created in collaboration with Heretic, alongside the double single "The Dark / Death Is Not The End" and the announcement of an extensive international tour.
The upcoming tour will span 43 dates across North America and Europe between September and December 2026. Jonathan Hultén will join the North American leg, while A.A. Williams will support the European dates. Before the album's release, Wolfe will perform the new material live for the first time at The Dome in London, before headlining the UK's ArcTanGent Festival.
Throughout her career, Chelsea Wolfe has become one of contemporary music's most distinctive voices, seamlessly blending doom metal, folk, industrial, electronic music, and experimental rock. She has collaborated with Chino Moreno (Deftones), Xiu Xiu, and Converge; contributed music to HBO's Game of Thrones; co-wrote the score for A24's X alongside Tyler Bates; and most recently appeared as part of Ann Demeulemeester's presentation during Paris Fashion Week.
Demonstrating the anticipation surrounding the project, Wolfe launched a secret pre-order exclusively for subscribers to her official newsletter. Every available copy sold out in less than 30 minutes, with buyers set to discover exactly what they purchased later this summer.
