Strange Highways

Occupation

  • Vocal: Ronnie James Dio
  • Guitar: Tracy Grijalva
  • Bass: Jeff Pilson
  • Drums: Vinny Appice

Strange Highways is the sixth studio album by Ronnie James Dio's solo band Dio and was published in 1993.

Making of the album

After Ronnie James Dio again, leaving Black Sabbath 1993 he reactivated his solo band. Initially Dios first bassist Jimmy Bain should again play his instrument, but he was released shortly after his return to work. Therefore Dio recruited the ex- Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, a good friend Dios. Dio drummer Vinny Appice saw before his for the drums. As a guitarist he took the ex- WWIII ( for World War III) guitarist Tracy Grijalva, after the band had placed an ad in the newspapers.

Together with producer Mike Fraser, the album was recorded in summer 1993 in Rumbo Studios in Los Angeles. According to Martin Popoffs Dio biography of the greatest part of Strange Highways arose by chance and through jam sessions, some also came from Tracy Grijalva, when he was still in WWIII. Also had to be slightly changed something in the sound of the instruments by Mike Fraser. Strange Highways is dedicated to Terry Price, a rugby player who in trying to save someone in front of a car accident, died in 1993. The album was released at different times, as Ronnie James Dio made ​​the release date of the respective tour dependent. However, an earthquake in Los Angeles prevented the Japanese tour, so that the album had to be published there without subsequent tour.

Jeff Pilson on bass only on the album and the subsequent U.S. tour since he became involved again with Dokken. For all other tours for the album, he was replaced by Larry Dennison. In 1996 he returned for Angry Machines but back to Dio. Strange Highways is the last album of Dio for the Warner Music Group. On the album itself worked with no keyboard player, although Pilson received the credit for this. For the upcoming tour Scott Warren (warrant ) was engaged.

Title list

Singles

The original plan was to decouple the song Evilution as a single. The plan was dropped, however, and so only a promo CD for the U.S. radio appeared. An associated video, recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo on 12 December 1993, it was also never realized. Also the song Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost should be released as a single, but this song was also released as a promo only CD for the U.S. radio.

Music Style and reception

Strange Highways is evaluated quite differently in the trade press. Musically, it marks a transition to a more aggressive style. Metal.de called the album " underestimated " and speaks of one of the hardest albums, the Dio 've ever published. The album show Dio " from another, definitely juicier and harder side." Allmusic called the album as solid and one of the better albums in Dios later career. While Dio usual powerful singing and the new guitarist Tracy Grijalva would contribute some good riffs, especially Vinny Appices drumming style would have suffered.

Record label Reprise Records Genre Bass guitar Warrant (American band)
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