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Strange Highways
Strange Highways
from Wikipedia

Strange Highways
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 25, 1993 (1993-10-25)
StudioRumbo Recorders (Los Angeles)
GenreHeavy metal
Length53:36
Label
ProducerMike Fraser
Dio chronology
Lock Up the Wolves
(1990)
Strange Highways
(1993)
Angry Machines
(1996)
Ronnie James Dio chronology
Dehumanizer
(1992)
Strange Highways
(1993)
Angry Machines
(1996)

Strange Highways is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Dio, released on October 25, 1993, through Vertigo Records in Europe, and on January 26, 1994, through Reprise Records in the U.S. It was the band’s first album since Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice's reunion tour with Black Sabbath, and the first to feature guitarist Tracy Grijalva and bassist Jeff Pilson. Recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, California, the album was produced, mixed, and engineered by Mike Fraiser, while its cover art was designed by Wil Rees.

Upon release, the album would receive generally positive reviews from critics, but showed a continued commercial decline, debuting at No. 142 on the Billboard 200. This decline would continue throughout the 1990’s until the release of Magica in 2000.

Background and recording

[edit]

In 1992, the English Rock band Black Sabbath would release Dehumanizer, which was the first album to feature Dio and Appice since 1981’s Mob Rules. The album notably had a troubled production, as songs had to be rewritten multiple times.[1] Despite this, it was Black Sabbath’s biggest commercial success in a decade,[2] and would shortly thereafter launch a tour to further capitalize on this success. During the tour, however, Dio would leave the band a second time after the band was invited by Ozzy Osbourne to perform on his No More Tours tour.[3] Following the short-lived reunion, Dio and Appice returned to Dio's solo group, hiring Tracy Grijalva as new guitarist. Former Dio bassist Jimmy Bain was to make a return to the band, but he was soon sacked by Dio and replaced by Jeff Pilson.[4]

Parts of "Hollywood Black" were demoed by Black Sabbath during the Dehumanizer sessions. "Whether it's the same, I don't know…" Tony Iommi remarked of Dio's version (before hearing it). "Could be the same lyrics – probably is. I wouldn't think he would use the same music."[5]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[6]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal8/10[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[8]

Strange Highways received generally favorable reviews from critics. Allmusic reviewer Jason Anderson would compliment Dio’s vocals and Grijalva’s guitar playing, and described the album as a “solid effort”.[9]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Ronnie James Dio; all music is composed by Dio, Vinny Appice, Tracy Grijalva, and Jeff Pilson, except where noted.

Strange Highways track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost"Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:13
2."Firehead" 4:06
3."Strange Highways" 6:54
4."Hollywood Black"Dio, Grijalva, Appice5:10
5."Evilution" 5:37
6."Pain"Appice, Dio, Grijalva4:14
7."One Foot in the Grave" 4:01
8."Give Her the Gun"Dio, Grijalva, Pilson5:58
9."Blood from a Stone" 4:14
10."Here's to You" 3:24
11."Bring Down the Rain" 5:45

Personnel

[edit]

Dio

Production

  • Recorded at Rumbo Recorders, Los Angeles, California
  • Produced, engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser
  • Assistant engineered by Andy Udoff
  • Mixed at Record Plant, Los Angeles, California
  • Originally mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, New York City
  • Cover illustration by Wil Rees
  • Sigil design and cover artwork by Ed Holding for Mainartery

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Strange Highways
Chart (1993) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[11] 79
US Billboard 200[12] 142

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Strange Highways is the sixth studio album by the American heavy metal band Dio, released in 1993. Fronted by , the album features a revamped lineup including guitarist Tracy G, bassist , and returning drummer . Produced by Mike Fraser at in , , it represents a shift toward a darker, more aggressive sound influenced by Dio's recent reunion with on their 1992 album . The record comprises 11 tracks, blending Dio's signature fantasy-themed lyrics with heavier riffs and industrial undertones. Standout songs include the title track "Strange Highways," clocking in at nearly seven minutes, and the opener "Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost," which critiques through apocalyptic imagery. Other notable compositions are "Evilution," exploring themes of moral decay, and "Hollywood Black," a critique of the entertainment industry. The album was initially released in Europe by on October 25, 1993, followed by a U.S. edition on in January 1994. Critically, Strange Highways is often regarded as an underrated entry in Dio's discography, praised for its raw energy and production but sometimes critiqued for departing from the band's more melodic style. It peaked at number 142 on the and has since been reissued multiple times, including a 2016 by Rhino Records. The album's themes of societal madness and personal redemption underscore Dio's enduring focus on fantasy and horror elements in heavy metal.

Background and development

Lineup changes

Following the temporary reunion of and with for the 1992 album , the duo returned to Dio's solo project, rekindling band activities after a period of uncertainty. This shift prompted significant personnel adjustments, as the previous lineup from (1990) underwent changes due to evolving band dynamics. Earlier members like guitarist , who had contributed to Dio's 1980s albums such as (1983) and (1987), had already departed in the late 1980s to pursue other opportunities, reflecting ongoing evolution in the band's composition. More immediately, bassist , a fixture since the band's inception and part of the Lock Up the Wolves lineup, was initially slated to return but faced personal issues that led to his exclusion, with no detailed reasons beyond general band progression provided. Similarly, guitarist Rowan Robertson, who joined at age 18 for Lock Up the Wolves, left after the album and its brief tour when Dio rejoined , pursuing his own projects including a band with vocalist . The reformed lineup for Strange Highways introduced guitarist Tracy Grijalva (known as Tracy G.), a and former member of WWIII, whose heavy, doomy style offered a more experimental contrast to prior guitarists like Campbell's melodic approach. On bass, , formerly of , was recruited after an impromptu at his home—arranged when Bain failed to appear for a —bringing a heavier influence shaped by his Dokken experience. These additions emphasized a fresh creative direction while retaining core members on vocals and on drums, ensuring continuity from earlier Dio efforts like . The new configuration fostered a collaborative band dynamic that influenced the album's intense tone.

Pre-production

The pre-production phase for Strange Highways involved intensive songwriting collaboration among , , Tracy Grijalva, and , with Dio solely responsible for all lyrics and melodies. The process began with Dio, Appice, and Grijalva composing the initial two tracks before Pilson joined, after which the remaining nine songs were co-written collectively as a band effort, emphasizing fresh ideas and daily rehearsals lasting 9-10 hours over two months. This collaborative approach marked a departure from prior Dio albums, fostering a unified creative dynamic that integrated the new members' riff contributions to shape the album's foundation. Conceptually, the album represented a shift toward darker, more progressive heavy metal themes, moving away from Dio's earlier fantasy-oriented narratives to address real-world frustrations and existential concerns inspired by personal setbacks and global uncertainties in the early 1990s. Dio expressed anger at societal issues and the modern world's disillusionments, infusing the material with black-and-white lyrical intensity to voice the unheard struggles of everyday people. This evolution was partly driven by the band's post-Black Sabbath reunion energy, as Dio and Appice sought to revitalize the project's sound following the underwhelming commercial reception of Lock Up the Wolves, which peaked lower on charts than prior releases and signaled a downturn in sales. Key tracks, including the title song "Strange Highways," were developed during these demo and rehearsal sessions as metaphors for existential journeys, portraying life's cyclical paths of , isolation, and repeated disappointments akin to a amid uncertainty. Dio envisioned the opener "Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost" to establish a deliberately "weird" and abstract tone, setting the stage for the album's thematic depth. These early sketches captured the band's intent to blend progressive elements with heavier, doom-laden riffs, reflecting Dio's personal reflections on career upheavals like the Sabbath reunion's collapse and industry shifts.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of Strange Highways took place at in , California, beginning in mid-1993 following the band's formation with its new lineup featuring guitarist Tracy G Grijalva, bassist , and drummer alongside . Principal sessions spanned the summer and fall of 1993, involving spontaneous jamming among the instrumentalists that was captured on Appice's tape deck to preserve a raw energy, with overdubs—including Dio's vocals—completed by October to meet the album's release schedule.

Production team

Mike Fraser served as the producer, engineer, and mixer for Strange Highways, bringing his expertise from previous collaborations with prominent acts such as to craft a sound that balanced polish and aggression. Assisting Fraser in engineering duties was Andy Udoff, while the album was mastered by at Sterling Sound in New York. Background vocals were provided by and bassist , enhancing the album's vocal layers without external contributions. The songwriting remained entirely in-house, with all lyrics penned by Dio and music composed by the core band members—Dio, , Tracy G, and Pilson. Reflecting on the collaboration, Dio described Fraser as "an absolutely incredible engineer" whose approach contributed to capturing the band's raw energy in the studio, distinguishing it from the more commercial polish of earlier Dio releases.

Musical style and composition

Style evolution

Strange Highways marked a significant evolution in Dio's musical style, transitioning from the melodic heavy metal of the band's albums like to a darker, more aggressive sound influenced by the metal landscape. This shift was intentional, as noted that the band began writing in a different manner with this , to recapture the live intensity of their early work while adapting to contemporary trends. Compared to the polished production of the preceding , Strange Highways adopted a denser, industrial-tinged that emphasized heaviness over catchiness. Central to this evolution were the contributions of new guitarist Tracy G. Grijalva, whose heavier, sludgy riffs—often featuring whammy bar techniques reminiscent of —infused the album with a modern edge, blending industrial aggression and grunge-era intensity suitable for the early . Drummer Vinny Appice's complex, powerful playing further amplified the intensity, delivering tight grooves and crushing fills that supported the album's raw production and distinguished it from the band's pop-metal leanings of the past. Song structures also grew more progressive, with extended compositions like the title track at 6:54 incorporating builds from acoustic intros to heavy climaxes, adding depth beyond the concise anthems of prior releases. The album's overall tone reflected Black Sabbath-like doom elements alongside occasional thrash-inspired speed bursts, creating mid-tempo grooves that positioned Strange Highways as Dio's heaviest effort to date and a deliberate "comeback" statement amid shifting genre dynamics. highlighted the band's conscious push toward this heavier direction during writing and recording, drawing from evolving metal influences to reinvigorate the sound post-reunion. This approach not only echoed the anger of Dio's brief stint on but also incorporated broader 1990s aggression, setting it apart from the more traditional heavy metal of the 1980s.

Lyrical themes

The lyrics of Strange Highways, primarily penned by , revolve around the central motif of "strange highways" as a for life's unpredictable and perilous journeys, intertwining fantastical with pointed observations on contemporary existence. In the title track, Dio evokes a cyclical, disorienting path akin to a "carousel" of chaos, symbolizing personal and professional upheavals in a "crazy world" that prompts escape to realms of the absurd. This theme underscores the album's departure from pure fantasy, grounding mythological wanderings in real-world disillusionment, as Dio explained in a 1994 : "It’s much more involved with the world that we see around us when we look out the window today as opposed to what we wanted ten centuries ago." Recurring themes prominently feature religious critique, occult undertones, and quests for personal redemption, delivered through Dio's signature poetic, narrative-driven style rich in mythological allusions. Songs like "Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost" challenge faith's foundations with provocative invocations of sacred figures, striking an "abstract chord" to unsettle listeners and establish the 's unconventional tone, as Dio noted: "We wanted that song to be where it is on the because it set the whole up for being weird." imagery permeates tracks such as "Evilution," amplifying a sense of moral ambiguity and dread, while redemption narratives emerge in introspective pleas for isolation and renewal, exemplified by lines yearning to "bury my bones on the " to evade societal judgment and embrace . These elements draw on archetypal myths. Dio's lyrical approach on Strange Highways marks a darker from earlier works like , favoring stark, "black and white" realism over whimsical fantasy, with wizards and magic yielding to raw frustration: "The records before that were much more fantasy oriented... where this one is pretty much black and white. This album is a very angry, frustrated black and white album because what I see in the world around me doesn’t make me a very happy person." Unique to the record is its on disillusionment, particularly in "Blood from a Stone," which confronts exploitation and inequality, serving as a platform for the voiceless: "I think that some one needs to shout out about it and I’m not trying to make sociological changes. I’m just screaming for people who don’t have a to scream from."

Release and promotion

Release details

Strange Highways was first released in Europe on October 25, 1993, through Vertigo Records. The album's United States release followed on January 26, 1994, via Reprise Records. The album was distributed in multiple formats, including CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape, with the standard edition featuring 11 tracks. Vertigo Records managed the international markets outside the US, while Reprise handled domestic distribution under the Warner Bros. umbrella. Initial pressings included artwork illustrated by Wil Rees, depicting a surreal scene of a distorted stretching into a fantastical landscape, with art direction by Janet Levinson. No commercial singles were issued from the at launch, though promotional versions were prepared for radio and industry use.

Touring and marketing

The promotion of Strange Highways centered on "Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost" as a key track, which received airplay on rock radio stations and had a produced that aired on to highlight the album's darker, more aggressive sound and Dio's theatrical performance style. Promotional efforts included interviews where Ronnie James Dio emphasized the album's return to his heavy metal roots following the more experimental phases of prior releases, positioning Strange Highways as a raw, uncompromising statement of the band's identity. Merchandise tied to the album's surreal highway theme, including promotional posters and T-shirts featuring the cover artwork of a demonic figure on a desolate , was distributed to fans and sold at shows to reinforce the record's atmospheric narrative. The Strange Highways World Tour launched in on November 4, 1993, in , , before shifting to in May 1994, with the band playing smaller theater venues to foster intimate connections with audiences. Setlists emphasized new material from the album, including "Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost," "Strange Highways," "Pain," and "Evilution," balanced with staples like "," "," and "The Mob Rules" to blend fresh songs with Dio's catalog classics. The tour extended into 1995, comprising around 90 shows across , , and and showcasing the lineup's chemistry with extended guitar solos and dramatic staging. Amid the 1994 dominance of acts like Nirvana and , which shifted mainstream rock radio and media focus away from traditional heavy metal, promotion for bands like Dio faced headwinds in securing broad exposure. However, Dio's loyal fanbase, built over decades, delivered solid attendance at tour stops, sustaining the shows' energy despite the era's stylistic challenges.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 1993, Strange Highways received mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated the band's renewed aggression but noted inconsistencies in songwriting and pacing. AllMusic's Jason Anderson awarded the album three out of five stars, commending Ronnie James Dio's enduring vocal power and Tracy G's innovative guitar contributions as a refreshing shift, while critiquing the uneven track sequencing and presence of filler material. echoed this sentiment in a three-out-of-five-star assessment, describing it as overly long and inconsistent yet a relevant entry in Dio's catalog, bolstered by powerful singing and strong instrumental performances from guitarist Tracy G and bassist . Reviewers frequently highlighted Dio's timeless voice and the album's return to a heavier, more aggressive sound after the polished production of Lock Up the Wolves, with Tracy G's riffing praised for injecting fresh energy into the Dio formula. Criticisms centered on weaker tracks that felt like filler and a production that some found overly polished or lacking warmth, diluting the raw intensity. In retrospective assessments from the onward, Strange Highways has been reevaluated as an underrated highlight in Dio's discography, often celebrated for its dark, doom-laden tone and heaviness. described it as far superior to its initial reception implied, positioning it as a bold, atmospheric pivot in the band's .

Commercial performance

Strange Highways achieved modest commercial success upon its release in , peaking at No. 142 on the chart in the United States. As of 2003, the album had sold 74,000 copies in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan data, reflecting a significant decline from earlier Dio releases like , which peaked at No. 61 and achieved platinum certification. The album received no RIAA certifications, underscoring the broader downturn in the heavy metal market during the 1990s amid the rise of and . Internationally, performance was similarly restrained. In , Strange Highways peaked at No. 79 on the Offizielle Top 100 Albums Chart, entering at No. 100 and charting for 5 weeks. It failed to reach the Top 100 Albums Chart, indicating limited traction there. In , the album was distributed by , contributing to relatively stronger regional interest compared to other markets, though specific chart data remains unavailable. This marked a stark contrast to the band's commercial peaks in the 1980s, such as reaching No. 10 on the Billboard 200.

Content and credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Strange Highways, released in , features eleven tracks with a total runtime of 53:36.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost"lyrics: Dio; music: Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:13
2"Firehead"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:06
3"Strange Highways"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson6:54
4"Hollywood Black"lyrics: Dio; music: Dio, Grijalva, Pilson5:10
5"Evilution"lyrics: Dio; music: Dio, Grijalva, Pilson5:37
6"Pain"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:13
7"One Foot in the Grave"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:01
8"Give Her the Gun"lyrics: Dio; music: Dio, Grijalva, Pilson5:58
9"Blood from a Stone"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson4:14
10"Here's to You"lyrics: Dio; music: Dio, Grijalva, Pilson3:24
11"Bring Down the Rain"lyrics: Dio; music: Appice, Dio, Grijalva, Pilson5:45
The original release contains no bonus tracks. The title track "Strange Highways" stands out for its extended structure and heavy riffs, encapsulating the album's darker, more aggressive sound.

Personnel

Band members
– lead vocals, keyboards
Tracy Grijalva – guitars, backing vocals
– bass, backing vocals
– drums, percussion
Production
Mike Fraser – , , mixing
Jeff Rogers – additional engineering
Additional contributions
No guest musicians appear on the album.
Album credits
Steve Barnett – art direction
Raul Vega – photography

Legacy

Reissues and remasters

Following its original 1994 release on CD and cassette by Reprise Records in the United States, Strange Highways has seen several reissues across various formats, primarily focusing on digital upgrades, remastering for improved audio fidelity, and limited-edition vinyl pressings. In the 2000s, the album received a digital reissue in 2007 by Rhino Records and Warner Bros. Records as an MP3 download at 320kbps, marking an early transition to online distribution without additional remastering or bonus material. A high-resolution digital remaster followed in 2015, offered in FLAC format at 24-bit/96kHz by the same labels, enhancing dynamic range and clarity for audiophiles. The brought expanded physical and streaming options, with a by made available on platforms like and , featuring polished sound dynamics while retaining the original tracklist. That year also saw a Japanese SHM-CD by Vertigo, utilizing Super High Material disc technology for superior playback. Vinyl collectors gained access to a 2018 limited-edition 180-gram LP by , including a variant (R1 45527), which improved upon earlier analog pressings with better separation and bass response. No major alternate mixes or bonus tracks have been included in these editions. Into the 2020s, a European 2xLP remastered appeared in 2021 via Vertigo, Mercury, and UMC (catalog 0736942), pressed on standard black vinyl for broader accessibility. Later versions, such as the 2020 remastered tracks on vinyl listings, feature enhanced artwork resolution from high-definition scans of the original . CD continued in 2024, including a Brazilian edition by Wikimetal and a European stereo pressing by On CD (MOCCD14473), both adhering to the standard 11-track configuration. Digital streaming has been widely available since the mid-2010s on services like , ensuring ongoing accessibility without format-specific alterations. In 2025, Rhino Records included Strange Highways in the 6LP splatter vinyl A Decade of Dio: 1983-1993, released on October 31, 2025, encompassing the band's first six studio albums, limited to 3,000 units, with a direct-to-consumer exclusive edition adding a bonus 7-inch single of non-album tracks “Evil Eyes (Original Version)” / “Time to Burn” (though not specific to this album), limited to 1,000 copies.

Cultural impact

Strange Highways was released in 1993 following Ronnie James Dio's temporary reunion with on their 1992 Dehumanizer. The introduced a darker, heavier sound. The contributed to the evolution of heavy metal during a transitional era, blending Dio's operatic vocals with gritty, doom-laden riffs that echoed influences without abandoning metal's core. Its thematic depth and sonic experimentation have been noted for bridging traditional heavy metal with emerging progressive and atmospheric elements, though specific citations from contemporary bands remain limited. Retrospectives highlight its role in sustaining Dio's relevance amid the explosion, positioning it as a bold artistic statement. Following Dio's death from on May 16, 2010, Strange Highways received posthumous recognition in various tributes and compilations celebrating his legacy. The album's darker tone was referenced in homages as emblematic of Dio's versatility. Among fans and critics, Strange Highways has achieved status since the 2000s, often lauded as an underrated masterpiece that was overshadowed by the era's dominance. Publications have praised its raw energy and innovative production, with the album's fan favorites like "Jesus Mary & the Holy Ghost" and "Evilution" gaining renewed appreciation in reissues and deep-cut lists. This legacy reflects Dio's ability to adapt and innovate, cementing the album's place in metal discourse as a testament to his unyielding creative spirit.

References

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