Photo Credit: @Pharmadiver/Kim Hansen Photography
It’s been nineteen years since Stabbing Westward released 2001’s self-titled full-length album, and now, it looks like we will soon see a follow-up effort. These industrial rockers have signed a brand new record deal with COP international and returned to the studio to work on their first LP in nearly twenty years with Wasteland. The record is expected to arrive sometime later this year. In January, the group surprised us with their new EP, Dead And Gone. The band now consists of original founding members Christopher Hall (vocals/guitar) and Walter Flakus (keyboards/programming) along with longtime member Carlton Bost (bass) and newest member Bobby Amaro (drums). To bring back their classic sound, the band has teamed up with their original producer, John Fryer, to work on the upcoming album.
Fryer comments:
“It’s grand to be working with Stabbing Westward again. The first two albums we made together were some of my finest work as a producer.”
Hall adds:
“I was so excited to have the opportunity to go back to the very roots of Stabbing Westward by working with John again. John really helped us develop our sound on our first album and then helped us take a huge leap forward with our second album. Even though this is our fifth full length, after such a long break it feels like a new beginning and it’s very cool to have John at the helm once again.”
Flakus expresses his excitement:
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with John again. The creativity we found on the first two records continues to drive where we want to take Stabbing Westward in the years to come. I’m so happy to rekindle that flame.”
Christian Petke, founder of COP International, comments:
“We wanted to put the dream team of Stabbing Westward and John Fryer back together again.” Of the collaboration with the band, he adds, “First and foremost we are fans. We truly appreciate the talent and skill of the musicians that entrust us with their creations and we will do whatever it takes to help them to create their best work on their own terms. What is of utmost importance to us is to give our artists a boutique experience. We want to create a partnership that is probably closer to a management deal than a traditional record contract.”
