After the success of their 2012 album Blood and a headline tour, In This Moment announced that they were returning to the studio at the end February 2014 to begin working on a follow-up.

Lead guitarist Chris Howorth told Billboard that they were again teaming up with longtime collaborator Kevin Churko, who has produced the band's previous records, and that the sound would continue with the same style as Blood.

Throughout 2015, the headline tour resumed in Europe and the United States, followed by supporting slots for Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch and Godsmack.

[14] Stephen Hill of Louder Sound gave Black Widow three-and-a-half out of five stars, saying that it "is a big step in the right direction" and goes on to describe it as "slicker and poppier" than In This Moment's previous albums.

[16] Arielle J of KillYourStereo cited Black Widow is "a good example of how a band should evolve", praising Maria Brink's vocals as "completely dynamic".

[17] Following the album's success, In This Moment was nominated for Breakthrough Band of the Year at the 2015 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, alongside Halestorm, Bury Tomorrow, and the Amity Affliction, but lost out to Babymetal.

[19] On June 29, 2022, the singles "Sick Like Me" and "Big Bad Wolf" were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), moving 500,000 copies in the United States.