Following the controversy surrounding the band after the Columbine High School massacre, band members retreated from the public eye, with Manson indicating that their website would be their "only contact with humanity" during the recording of their upcoming studio album, "Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)". The band posted regular updates regarding the album's composition and recording. On December 15, 1999, a new intro was placed on the website, which featured Manson with a shaved head and the alchemical symbol for mercury painted on his forehead. On the same day, a webcast was launched, which announced the name of the album, its musical direction and a preview of several songs.