Strange Highways Songs Ranked
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, 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. 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 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.” Here are all of Strange Highways songs ranked.
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11. Firehead
“Great mid tempo song. Very evil and dark indeed. Not the best one on the record but clearly a solid song. Feel The Heat From Firehead! Dio’s 1994 album Strange Highways is the heaviest album he’s done at that point in the band’s career.”
10. Hollywood Black
“Hollywood Black is also a great song but not ranked as some of the best on the album by me. i think this record is nothing but a mixture of great songs all togheter. This one rocks. Good live song as well.”
9. Here’s to You
“Great song. Don’t know why but this song hit’s me every time. very well sung by Ronnie. Dio’s lyrics, as always, are abstract yet still very much to the point to get his messages across..”
See more: Dio Albums Ranked
8. Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost
“Fast and heavy. havn’t figured out what the song is about yet but it rocks as hell. You can clearly hear that Dio tried to go to the more harder and brutal style of metal on this one.”
7. Give Her the Gun
“Song about child abuse with the revenge all the children should get when abused. This is indeed a dark record and this song sure gives you a feel of hate against dickless bastards who abuse children. Very well written song”
6. Bring Down the Rain
“The closing song “Bring Down the Rain” is really catchy and is my favorite off of the album. Dio has his long-time drummer Vinny Appice on this album. The heavy finale of the record. A little bit of old school Dio comming back here in the riffs and vocals. Great song and a great ending of a great album! “
5. Blood from a Stone
“This album is great. It’s very hard, agressive and loud, and i like that. Dio sings different on this album too, he screams more. On other albums he sings a lot better, but the way Dio sings fits with the style of this album.”
See more: Dio Songs Ranked
4. Evilution
“Also one of my favourites on this record. The howling or screaming or whatever it is in the beginning of the song gives me goosebumps every time. The ending riffs are just perfect. And, man! This is heavy!”
3. Pain
“Give Me A Choice Of Pleasure Or Pain, I Choose PAIN! Superb song. Something is missing though. Fast driven metal song at it’s best. Pain is by far one of the greatest rock song in Dioistry History that is.”
2. One Foot in the Grave
“This is the song listen to the least on this record. Don’t know why but i often skipp this track. Haven’t much of a choice than to give this one.. If you’re one of those who was put off by this album in the early ’90s, give it another listen…you will NOT be disappointed!”
1. Strange Highways
“One of my favourites and also the title track of the record. Paranoid and crazy lyrics. Not a fast song but it’s a very Dio’ish song. Strange that you don’t ever get tired of listening to this one. Such an atmosphere.”