Dio - Strange Highways

1. JESUS MARY & THE HOLY GHOST.
A heavy dense sound marks a new Dio for the 1990's. This was about as extreme as this album gets and its altogether not too bad at all. The 'loud hailer' vocals actually sound quite cool which probably says more about Dio's vocals than the effect itself. Odd rhythms bounce off one another and the track has an uneasy lurch that somehow manages to hold itself together and sound pretty effective.

2. FIREHEAD.
Another pounding track that is a favourite. Ronnie sounds very pissed off especially on the chorus and this throws a great aura to the track! Tracy G makes good noises throughout showing that the guy is not a complete bone head and can play when he puts some effort in! A good track that deserves to be remembered.

3. STRANGE HIGHWAYS.
In typical Dio fashion the title track is gloriously moody, conjuring up images of Ronnie crooning for all he's worth on the top of the mountain and it is one of the highlights of the album. Similar in feel to the more restraint moments from Sabbath's 'Dehumanizer' such as 'Too Late' and 'After All'. 'Strange Highways' soon kicks with a crunching riff that blows away the cobwebs. Ronnie responds accordingly opening up those leather lungs and the sound coming out is well....Godly!! A great track that deserves a place as a bona fide Dio classic!

4. HOLLYWOOD BLACK.
A track that recalls Tracy G's work in his former band WWIII. Again heavy riffs abound but Dio holds melody over the top with ease. The chorus is yet again menacing 'Hollywood Black, caught in the middle' and this perhaps sums up what this incarnation of Dio was all about, taking those classic 80's Dio stylings and making them suitably dark for the less hopeful times of the 90's.

5. EVILUTION.
Opening with screams and weird scrapings the track turns into a modern metal direction. The verse is a little pedestrian but the pace picks up for the delightful pre-chorus. Dio again sound positively demonic and a chill runs down your spine! There are several good riffs scattered around which the band play well with and Tracy G asserts himself as a great rhythm player, as well as throwing in futuristic effects over the riffs, another successful dark track.

6. PAIN.
'Give me a choice between pleasure and pain, I'd choose pain', and if it feels this good then I think I would be inclined to agree with Ronnie. A devilishly godly heavy riff perfectly sums up the title and this album is truly kicking. Again comparisons to Sabbath spring to mind and this is a riff Tony Iommi will be kicking himself for not writing. 'Bury my bones on the moon, if they ever should find me it would be too soon', the rhythm section of Pilson and Appice really gel here and when mixed with the huge sound Tracy G has conjured onto tape the band really sound pretty unstoppable. A highlight.

7. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE.
A bit of an odd track to describe, the track has a strangely upbeat happy fell to the verse but its not! It works well and comes across as a new sound for Dio. The pre chorus heads back into traditional Dio territory while the chorus just slays - 'I've got two hands to hold you, two arms around you, the master and the slave. Two eyes to watch you, two hands to help you put one foot in the grave'. Tracy G then takes flight with a good melodic solo that shows again that he can play, in fact this is quite reminiscent of his soloing on the WWIII track 'Love You To Death'. Another excellent track.

8. GIVE HER THE GUN.
Restraint acoustic guitar give the track good vibes straight from the off. This again sounds very Iommi and the vibe is truly Sabbath-esque when Dio enters. Ronnie sounds rather like Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche in places before returning to himself for the huge chorus, 'I say him give her the gun, look at her run away, I say giver her the gun before the next one comes along and doesn't pay'. The bridge sees a slight psychedelic edge and this is given great depth by strong orchestration before hitting its stride with yet more great riffs and another great solo from Tracy G! The tracks then chills down to the acoustic intro and this makes you realise that Dio and G were indeed a very strong writing partnership in retrospect.

9. BLOOD FROM A STONE.
Yet again a slamming riff opens the track for one of the more upbeat numbers of the album. The lyrics are again full of grim and menace - 'Coz you can't get blood from a stone, you can't open a door if nobody's home'. WWIII similarities crop up minus the often cringe worthy vocals of Mandy Lion. The track features more of Tracy G's bizarre sound effects and while the solo are not quite those of Vivian Campbell, Craig Goldy or Rowan Robertson, they do tend to suit the material well. A solid track overall.

10. HERE'S TO YOU.
The most intense track on the album tempo wise but while it is quick it lacks the majesty of previous Dio belters like 'Stand Up and Shout' and 'We Rock' and ultimately the track comes across as stale. The urge to throw your fist in the air and bellow forth the chorus is missing and that perhaps best sums up this track. Having said that after the solo the track does have a good breakdown part 'Here's to you, Here's to me, Here's to reason'. Sadly though the track goes back to the oblivion inducing riff.

11. BRING DOWN THE RAIN.
The final track is much better coming across as a strong mix of traditional Dio and Sabbath. The sound is big and Dio sounds great, 'You always seem to find the sun, but this time the sun is a fire...bring down the rain, this house is burning again, put out the flame, bring down the rain'. The riff is melodic and powerful and this brings out the best is all involved. A great track to end the album.