Darkest Days

{{distinguish|Darkest Day}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Darkest Days

| type = studio

| artist = Stabbing Westward

| cover = StabbingWestwardDarkestDays.jpg

| alt =

| released = April 7, 1998

| recorded = 1997

| studio = Eldorado Studios and NRG Recording Studios, North Hollywood, California

| genre =

• Industrial rock
• alternative rock
• industrial metal

| length = 64:23

| label = Columbia

| producer = Stabbing Westward, Dave Jerden, Ulrich Wild

| prev_title = Wither Blister Burn & Peel

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = Stabbing Westward

| next_year = 2001

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Darkest Days

| type = studio

| single1 = Save Yourself

| single1date = May 1998

| single2 = Sometimes It Hurts

| single2date = 1998

| single3 = Haunting Me

| single3date = 1999

}}

}}

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r347029|pure_url=yes}}|title=Darkest Days – Stabbing Westward|publisher=AllMusic}}

|rev2 = Pitchfork

|rev2score = 6.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/stabbing-westward/darkest-days.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001016203121/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/stabbing-westward/darkest-days.shtml|title=Stabbing Westward: Darkest Days: Pitchfork Review|website=Pitchfork|archivedate=October 16, 2000|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

|rev3 = Rolling Stone

|rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/stabbingwestward/albums/album/147672/review/6068134/darkest_days|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202133856/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/stabbingwestward/albums/album/147672/review/6068134/darkest_days|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 2, 2007|title=Stabbing Westward: Darkest Days : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 2, 2007|accessdate=December 17, 2018}}

|rev4 = Sputnikmusic

|rev4score = 4/5{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/12770/Stabbing-Westward-Darkest-Days/|title=Stabbing Westward – Darkest Days (staff review)|website=Sputnikmusic.com}}

}}

Darkest Days is the third album released by industrial rock band Stabbing Westward on Columbia Records. The album was recorded in L.A. in 1997 and released on April 7, 1998. Although the album didn't achieve the same level of success as Wither Blister Burn & Peel, it received positive reviews and is often considered the band's best album.{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/12770/Stabbing-Westward-Darkest-Days/|title=Review: Stabbing Westward – Darkest Days |website=Sputnikmusic.com|accessdate=December 17, 2018}} The band was dropped from Columbia Records in 2000 following this release. The track "Save Yourself" reached number 4 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart (the band's highest-placing single on that chart) and number 20 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart and remains a staple of alternative music. Darkest Days was certified gold on March 1, 2000.{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=stabbing+westward+darkest+days|website=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=May 30, 2019}}

Darkest Days is a concept album consisting of four acts, with each portraying a different emotional phase gone through after a break-up. The first act (tracks 1–4) is about sabotaging the relationship. The second act (tracks 5–9) is about lust, hope, and longing. The third act (tracks 10–12) is about hitting rock bottom after it is all over. The fourth act (tracks 13–16) is about recovery and self-respect.