"New Tattoo" is the ninth studio album by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released in 2000. The album was launched by Mötley Records - the band's independent record label. "New Tattoo" shows the band moving back to their traditional hard rock sound after the industrial metal style of their preceding album, "Generation Swine."
The album is notable for its personnel changes. "New Tattoo" is the only Mötley Crüe album on which drummer Tommy Lee doesn't appear. Instead, former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo played on the album due to Lee's departure from the band a year earlier. Mick Mars, the band's longtime guitarist, contributed to the album despite several health issues related to a chronic degenerative illness he has named Ankylosing spondylitis.
"New Tattoo" peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200 chart with a mixed critical reception. This studio album delivered pool-room anthems such as "Hell on High Heels," which hit No. 13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Other tracks like "New Tattoo" and "Treat Me Like the Dog I Am" further cemented the band’s hard-rocking status.
Unfortunately, an unsettling occurrence happened amidst the album's promotion. Randy Castillo, the drummer, fell ill and had to sit out on the supporting tour. His place was taken by Hole's Samantha Maloney for the duration of the tour. Castillo, tragically, passed away from cancer in 2002.
Nonetheless, despite these challenges, "New Tattoo" remains a staple release in Mötley Crüe's rich discography, being a notable return to the sound that made them famous during the '80s.
