Mötley Crüe has never graced with its presence — and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still, the Los Angeles metal/rock band obviously felt the need to make a “we’re back” type of statement musically (as opposed to simply flashing more tattoos) with Saints of Los Angeles, the group’s first album of all-new material in more than a decade with original singer Vince Neil, drummer Tommy Lee, bassist Nikki Sixx and guitarist Mick Mars.

Based on the group’s autobiography “The Dirt” (a movie version is slated for 2009), S.O.L.A., released June 24, pulls no punches. From the opening punkish sounds of “Face Down in the Dirt,” — which features Neil wailing “Yeah, I’d rather be dead/I’d rather be face down in the dirt with a bullet in my head” amid the thrash-like pounding of Lee’s drumming — to the closing up-tempo “Goin’ Out Swingin,’.” the Crüe have made a solid and sobered-up return to the metal ranks.

Unlike other ’80s rock bands who still put out new material only to exclusively play old-school songs live because they fear fans will riot if they try to sing the new stuff, the Crüe will mix new tunes among their classics on July 23 at the Verizon. After all, they have never been known to follow orders.

“It’s just not how we think,” Sixx told 210SA during a recent teleconference.

The closest thing to a ballad on S.O.L.A. is “The Animal in Me,” one of the album’s highlights. And while Neil will never be at the top of a greatest-metal-singer-ever list, he does have a voice that can only be associated with the Crüe.

Once again, the Crüe has done its part to deliver the goods.

Jay Nanda | 210SA contributor