Stabbing Westward Releases New Album “Chasing Ghosts” TODAY, First New Album In 21 Years Hailed As Big Return Right Where They Left Off

Today, Stabbing Westward releases their anticipated new album Chasing Ghosts – marking the influential industrial rock band’s first new LP in more than 20 years.

It features 10 tracks that showcase the industrial rock band’s characteristic sound with a modern sheen that picks up right where they left off with their last full-length in 2001. With the new tracks, Stabbing Westward has not only managed stay true to their original sound, but also expanded it to fit the frantic new reality of the 21st century.

Hailed by many music critics, here is what the press is saying of Chasing Ghosts:

“Stabbing Westward sound more confident and self-assured than ever.” ­— Metal Injection

“Stabbing Westward may only be scratching the surface of their renewed potential here. Either way, it’s good to have them back.” — Blabbermouth

“With the future and the past of Stabbing Westward channeled into one album, there is no territory unscathed here. …Chasing Ghosts is everything Stabbing Westward fans could have dreamed for and more.” —Cryptic Rock

“After twenty years, Stabbing Westward has produced a beautiful masterpiece which has already caused me to question which of their albums is my favorite. It is not necessary to know their past catalog to appreciate Chasing Ghosts, so if you are new to Stabbing Westward, welcome. This is the perfect time to jump right in.” —Ghost Cult Magazine

Chasing Ghosts features brand-new songs as well as re-workings of the band’s acclaimed 2020 reunion EP Dead And Gone that finds original founding members Christopher Hall (vocals/guitar) and Walter Flakus (keyboards/programming) honing in on the incredible partnership that once produced a string of hits that dominated alternative radio and film soundtracks, including “Shame,” “Save Yourself” and “What Do I Have to Do?” – and resulted in two Certified Gold records.

To recreate that original chemistry, the band recruited the legendary producer John Fryer to again helm Chasing Ghosts. Fryer, whose production credits include Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, 4AD, Cocteau Twins and Love and Rockets, originally worked with Stabbing Westward on their best-selling early releases Ungod (1994) and Wither Blister Burn + Peel (1996). Chasing Ghosts was also mastered by Tom Baker who, like Fryer, worked with Stabbing Westward on their early releases and is part of the reassembled production team on the latest album. The band also includes Carlton Bost (guitars and programming) and Bobby Amaro (drums).

Chasing Ghosts is on sale now here:

With artwork by David Seidman (who has worked with Coheed And Cambria and is known for his ethereal and surrealistic imagery), formats include digital, 6-panel digipack CD, and limited-edition vinyl including a run of 2,000 double-gatefold 180gr black vinyl with an additional insert. Exclusive limited-edition merch will also be announced soon.

The full track listing for Chasing Ghosts is as follows:

Blending the scathing electronics of underground industrial/rock with the emotive melodies of goth and a decidedly radio-friendly sensibility, Stabbing Westward rose to great heights in the mid-‘90s alternative boom. Formed in 1986 by Walter Flakus and Christopher Hall, the band went from underground cult sensation to the heights of critical and commercial success thanks to such songs as “Shame,” “Save Yourself,” “So Far Away” and “What Do I Have to Do?”. To this day, these songs remain anthems of heartache, dejection, rage, betrayal and depression.

With two Gold albums and numerous hit singles, Stabbing Westward fell from grace with the 2001 self-titled album amid personal and professional turmoil, disbanding the following year and leaving a void in modern music that was somewhat filled by Hall’s later work in The Dreaming. However, it was the release of that band’s Rise Again in 2015 that the seeds were sown for a reunion. That album saw Flakus once again making music with Hall, with Stabbing Westward guitarist Mark Eliopulos joining The Dreaming onstage in Chicago for a set of past hits. In 2019, Hall and Flakus came together again to release the Dead And Gone EP, the first new Stabbing Westward material in 18 years. Written and produced by Flakus and Hall over the course of three years, and recorded in multiple states and time zones, these new songs capture the very essence of the Stabbing Westward sound. Adding longtime bandmate Carlton Bost (Orgy, Deadsy, The Dreaming) and new drummer Bobby Amaro (Orgy) to the official lineup, the band has also once again recruited the talent of producer John Fryer—instrumental on early albums “Ungod” and “Wither Blister Burn + Peel”—for a new album, Chasing Ghosts to be released in early 2022 through a new partnership with COP International.

The year 2022 will be an exciting one for COP International, coming off their 30^th anniversary in 2021 and with ambitious plans for its expanding roster of artists, already including Stabbing Westward and Azam Ali, as well as Blackcarburning, Black Needle Noise, Chiasm, Deathline International, GW Childs IV, Junksista, Johnny Tupolev, Rohn-Lederman, Vaselyne, Sick Jokes and Suicide Queen.

The label reached a turning point in 2020, teaming up with legendary producer John Fryer to form a production company under the COP International umbrella. Fryer is producing and engineering the majority of the forthcoming COP catalog and also working as A&R in helping to select appropriate acts. “The level of craftsmanship, artistic talent and meticulous attention to detail is what sets John’s work a world apart,” says COP International founder Christian Petke. “When we first started talking, I brought up John’s relationship with 4AD where he was the principal engineer and producer. This is exactly what we have in mind for this collaboration. Our philosophy is quite simple: Find exceptional talent, don’t limit ourselves or the artists, and build momentum based on the excellence of the releases. We have signed a couple bands that have major chart potential based on previous entries, and we are very excited about our projects for this year.Another thing that is rather important to us is the level of closeness and mutual appreciation we have between the label and the artists. COP provides a nurturing environment that allows them to focus on their craft. We support and shield them and provide the business machinery that will develop their full potential. Both John and I are artists as well and that helps tremendously to build a bridge between the world of pure art and commerce without sacrificing the individual vision”

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