Strange Highways

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's reunion tour with Black Sabbath. The European release was on Vertigo Records, 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 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.

"Hollywood Black" was 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."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Ronnie James Dio.

Personnel

Dio

• Ronnie James Dio – vocals
• Tracy G – guitars
• Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards
• Vinny Appice – 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