Oriental Spas - Tattoo

didacmoreno74

Review by Dídac Moreno

Tattoo by Oriental Spas: A Gritty Industrial Rager from '88 That Still Kicks Ass Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Oriental Spas’ Tattoo ain’t your grandma’s rock album. Released in 1988 under Overture Records, this sucker slams together industrial vibes with a raw, electronic edge that hits like a punch to the gut. And yeah, it’s got that classic late-80s US underground feel, all grimy and unapologetic. If you’re looking for something polished or radio-friendly, keep walking. This is music for people who like their sounds dirty and their beats bruising. The title track “Tattoo” is where the chaos begins. It’s dark, brooding, and layered with these gnarly synth lines that sound like they were ripped straight out of some abandoned factory. The guitars gnash at you like rabid dogs while the drums stomp so hard you can feel ‘em in your chest. What sticks? The way the vocals snarl over the top—half-sung, half-growled—as if the singer's pissed off but too cool to care. You remember this track because it doesn’t just play; it invades. It’s not background noise—it’s front-and-center aggression you can’t ignore. Then there’s “Static Veins,” which is basically a head-trip on steroids. Imagine being trapped inside an old TV set as it dies—flickering images, distorted signals, and static everywhere. That’s what this song feels like. The bassline throbs like a heartbeat about to explode, and the samples are glitchy as hell, like someone took a sledgehammer to a keyboard and called it art. It’s messy, sure, but damn if it isn’t addictive. Every time I hear it, I wanna smash something…or start a cult. Probably both. What makes Tattoo stand out—even decades later—is how unrelentingly abrasive it is. There’s no filler here, no weak moments. It’s like Oriental Spas looked at every other band making safe, predictable music back then and said, “Nah, we’re gonna burn it all down.” And holy crap, did they ever. But here’s the kicker: listening to this album now feels weirdly nostalgic. Not in some soft, fuzzy way, but more like remembering a bar fight you barely survived. It reminds me how music used to be dangerous—not just loud, but genuinely risky. Like it could change you. Or maybe ruin you. Either way, it mattered. So yeah, go listen to Tattoo. Just don’t blame me when it screws up your day (in the best possible way). Oh, and hey—don’t forget to crank the volume. This ain’t background music, buddy. It’s a war cry.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: oriental-spas-tattoo.zip
  • MP3 size: 5.7 mb
  • FLAC size: 57.9 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Tattoo4:22

Images

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Catalog Numbers

OV1215

Labels

Overture Records

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 12"
  • 33 ⅓ RPM
  • Single
  • Stereo

About Oriental Spas

American hard rock band from Detroit, Michigan. Despite their gothic looks, their early records have a unique and varied rock sound filled with lots of heavy metal guitars, mixed with new wave-esque electronic drums, waves of synth and melodic, 3-way female/female/male vocals. The bands 90's albums take on a more bluesy, alternative rock sound and shift away from some of the keyboard driven sounds of the 80's albums.

Members

  • Tim Patalan
  • Jody Cortez
  • Laura Santodonato
  • Mary Stuart-Santos
  • Seth Swallow
  • Jade Scott Santos
  • Kian Smith
  • Chris Stuba

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Tattoo* by Oriental Spas came out in 1988 and blends Rock and Electronic vibes with an Industrial edge. It’s from the US and was released under Overture Records. Fun detail—the track *Tattoo* is a standout piece that gives the album its name. Not your typical sound for the '80s, but that’s what makes it special.