Stabbing Westward with Priest + Acumen Nation at Underground ArtsSaturday, July 18, 2026 Doors: 6:30 PM | Show: 7:30 PM 21+ About Underground Arts Visit undergroundarts.org for venue details including how to get here, parking, FAQ, UA Merch, Private Events, & everything else - Food, Concessions + Drink Menus | Venue FAQ | Contact Info Coming to this show with a crew of 6 or more? Select areas of the Black Box (aka: UA's auxillary lounge) are now available for rental during any of our concerts, dance parties, or events! Whether you’re celebrating a birthday and looking for some space to hang in between sets, gathering your pals for a small reunion, or just looking for some breathing room, our team can help! Our space has multiple options for accommodating private parties during concerts and dance parties, so fill out THIS FORM to request more information and create a one of a kind experience for you and your party. - About Stabbing Westward Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music 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. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their first gold certified album, Hall and Flakus are re-imagining their 1996 album Wither Blister Burn + Peel with Wither ReWired in 2026. About Priest Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify Priest is a synth-driven force that creates music rooted in the vastness of electronic dreams. The goal of their multifaceted prophecy is to safely guide humanity unto the next evolutionary step - the merging with machines. This occult technopop act from Sweden dives deeper into harder synth textures: EBM and big beat-chaos throwing you headfirst into the flickering neon of 80s scifi, clashing with the relentless pulse of gothic and industrial soundscapes. With several praised global tours and critically acclaimed releases like New Flesh and Body Machine, Priest has carved out a devoted and ever-growing international following. Their high-octane live shows are a full sensory assault - a cybernetic ritual of pure machine power. The enigmatic trio - vocalist Mercury, keyboardist Salt, and programmer/keyboardist Sulfur now return with their new release "CHAOS EP" About Acumen Nation Website | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music Formed in 1988 as Acumen by Jason Novak, the band released several cassette demos in the early 90s. In 2000, Novak launched Crack Nation Records. Between 2002 and 2008 the band would release several more albums, tour and promote and play with side projects Czar, DJ? Acucrack and Fawn, but the death of long-time member Jamie Duffy in 2012 put the band on permanent hiatus. Please note the Underground Arts Safety Policy: Although not encouraged by Underground Arts or the Artist, moshing, crowd surfing or stage diving activities may take place at this event. Moshing, crowd surfing and entering such areas may be dangerous, and you do either at your own risk. Behavior deemed inappropriate, harmful or disrespectful by our event staff can result in removal from the venue without a refund. The safety of our patrons, staff and artists is our top priority and we expect all guests to treat others with respect.