Stabbing Westward

# Stabbing Westward

Stabbing Westward is an American industrial rock band that has shaped the darker corners of electronic music since their formation in 1985. Founded by Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus in Macomb, Illinois, the group built a distinctive sound merging aggressive synthesizers, distorted electronics, and raw vocal intensity. Their discography includes landmark releases like *Wither Blister Burn & Peel* (1996) and *Darkest Days* (1998), establishing them as key figures in the industrial music landscape of the 1990s.

After a hiatus that lasted nearly two decades, Stabbing Westward reunited in 2016, returning with the album *Chasing Ghosts* in 2022—their first new material in over 20 years. The reunion demonstrated the enduring influence of their abrasive, synth-driven aesthetic on contemporary industrial and electronic music. Their continued live performances showcase their ability to bridge classic industrial sensibilities with modern production techniques.