''Strange Highways'' is the sixth studio album by American
heavy metal band
Dio. It's also their first album since
Ronnie James Dio and
Vinny Appice
Vincent Samson Appice (born September 13, 1957) is an American rock drummer best known for his work with the bands Dio, Black Sabbath, and Heaven & Hell. Of Italian descent, he is the younger brother of drummer Carmine Appice.
Career
Appic ...
's reunion tour with
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...
. The European release was on
Vertigo
Vertigo is a condition where a person has the sensation of movement or of surrounding objects moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties w ...
, in October 1993; the U.S. release was on
Reprise Records, in January 1994.
After the short-lived reunion with Black Sabbath for the recording of the album ''
Dehumanizer'' (1992) and the subsequent tour, Dio and Appice returned to Dio's solo group, hiring
Tracy Grijalva
Tracy Grijalva (born January 3, 1959), known as Tracy G, is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999.
Early life
Tracy's first band experience was in band called the Grijalva Brothers with his ...
as new guitarist. Former Dio bassist
Jimmy Bain
James Stewart Bain (19 December 1947 – 23 January 2016) was a Scottish musician, best known for playing bass guitar in the bands Rainbow and Dio. He also worked with Kate Bush and Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo ...
was to make a return to the band, but he was soon sacked by Dio and replaced by
Jeff Pilson. It is considered Dio's heaviest and darkest album.
"Hollywood Black" was
demoed by Black Sabbath during the ''Dehumanizer'' sessions. "Whether it's the same, I don't know…"
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank Iommi () (born 19 February 1948) is a British musician. He co-founded the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and was the band's guitarist, leader and primary composer and sole continuous member for nearly five decades. I ...
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."
[''Southern Cross'' No.19, March 1997]
Track listing
All lyrics written by
Ronnie James Dio.
Personnel
;Dio
*
Ronnie James Dio – vocals
*
Tracy G
Tracy Grijalva (born January 3, 1959), known as Tracy G, is an American heavy metal guitarist best known for his time with Dio from 1993 to 1999.
Early life
Tracy's first band experience was in band called the Grijalva Brothers with his ...
– guitars
*
Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards
*
Vinny Appice
Vincent Samson Appice (born September 13, 1957) is an American rock drummer best known for his work with the bands Dio, Black Sabbath, and Heaven & Hell. Of Italian descent, he is the younger brother of drummer Carmine Appice.
Career
Appic ...
– drums
;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
References
External links
''Strange Highways'' song lyrics
{{Authority control
1993 albums
Albums produced by Mike Fraser
Dio (band) albums
Reprise Records albums
Vertigo Records albums