Former BulletBoys guitarist DJ Ashba and Bang Tango vocalist Joe LeSte first formed Beautiful Creatures, initially as Hellstar, in 1999.

[5][6] After adding bassist Kenny Kweens, guitarist Anthony Focx and drummer Glen Sobel, the band opened for Kiss during their reunion tour and, after one show, changed their name to Beautiful Creatures.

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Tom Semioli complimented on their "overwhelming appeal [that] lies in their command of traditional pop/rock songcraft bolstered by expert musicianship" and that "the songs found on this self-titled first offering would be praiseworthy in any genre.

reviewer Craig Daniels stated that "the opening song, "1 A.M.," could easily be mistaken for vintage G'n'R, and actually stands alone as a pretty solid little rocker" and that LeSte "alternates from an AC/DC growl to an Axl howl.

"[10] Andrew Ellis, reviewing for PopMatters, described the album as "a rough and ready collection of uninspiring rockers, old school guitar licks and gravelly vocals" that "attempts to merge the aggression, street sass and sound of the incomparable Appetite for Destruction with the modern leanings of the contemporary rock scene."