Stabbing Westward is an industrial band composed of Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, Stuart Zechman, Jim Sellers and David Suycott. They formed in 1985 (1985 in music) in Chicago and began recording in the 1990s. Their major label debut was Ungod. Sales were sluggish but Stabbing Westward built a solid fanbase by relentless touring. In 1996, their Wither Blister Burn & Peel LP became a moderate success aided by the single "What Do I Have to Do" (see 1996 in music).

The follow-up was Darkest Days. It failed to sell as well as its predecessor, and the band was dropped from Columbia Records. They signed to Koch Records, issuing Stabbing Westward. Before their fifth LP could be released, Stabbing Westward broke up in 2002 (2002 in music).