The band released an extended play in 1992, followed by four studio albums: Ungod (1994), Wither Blister Burn & Peel (1996), Darkest Days (1998), and Stabbing Westward (2001).

"[5] Moving to Chicago, Illinois in 1985, the original lineup for Stabbing Westward consisted of Hall on bass and lead vocals, Flakus on keyboards, and Jim Clanin on guitars.

100 copies were originally printed and sold both at local shows and in the legendary Wax Trax Record store in Chicago.

"[8] Hall took a brief break to tour with the band Die Warzau as that group's percussionist before continuing to work on Stabbing Westward.

[10] After Vrenna returned to Nine Inch Nails, the band hired David Suycott,[10] who was a high school friend of Flakus.

With a solidified lineup including Zechman on guitar and Suycott on drums, the band in 1993 recorded at Eden Studios in London with producer John Fryer.

The "Thread Mix" of the song "Violent Mood Swings" was included in the soundtrack to the 1994 film Clerks, and briefly appeared in the movie itself for one scene.

Shortly after Zechman's departure, Kubiszewski played the band dozens of demos and Exotic Birds recordings.

In 1996, the Wither Blister Burn & Peel LP became a success,[10] landing them their first certified gold album, aided by the singles "Shame" and "What Do I Have to Do?"

The band later recruited Mark Eliopulos after the Wither recording sessions were completed to handle the live element of the main guitar parts.

Stabbing Westward continued to tour with bands like Placebo, The Cult, Monster Magnet, and Depeche Mode, while playing numerous summer festivals.

The song "Save Yourself" was featured in the 1998 films Urban Legend and Tekken, in addition to the 2012 True Blood Season 5 finale.

After signing with Koch Records, the new manager wanted the band to create an album with a heavy pop influence.

Mark Eliopulos was fired by the manager who then brought in Derrek Hawkins as both a studio and live musician, as well as a new producer, Ed Buller.

In June 2010, a rumor was afloat that Stabbing Westward would reunite to tour and possibly work on new material;[15][16] however, this proved false.

Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, and Johnny Haro reunited at one of The Dreaming's shows in Las Vegas on November 15, 2013.

The lineup featured Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, Mark Eliopulos, and Johnny Haro along with Carlton Bost (mainly known from The Dreaming, and also the reunited bands Orgy and Berlin).

[19] In a January 2017 interview with audioBoom, Walter Flakus was asked if there would be more Stabbing Westward reunion shows in the future.

The band embarked on a U.S. tour from October to December 2018 by celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of Darkest Days and performing most of the album, along with other songs.

[34] The group has often been compared to Nine Inch Nails; according to Alan Escher of AllMusic, however, the band "owe more to the British synth poppers Depeche Mode than anyone."

[36] Stabbing Westward's influences include Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Soundgarden, The Cure, Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, and Pearl Jam.