This -93 release from Dio is maybe not what the fans expected. With new guitarist Tracy G, the musical direction changed towards much heavier stuff and much more of a 90's heavy metal style. Many look upon Tracy as the "least good" Dio guitarist ever, while some actually discovered Dio with this album. But I tell you, that this one is for instance much better than "Lock up the Wolves".

Personally I don't think this particualr album from this "new era" is especially bad. I do listen to it ocassionally, even if it's nothing compared to the old classics. But I can see some qualities in Tracy, like his heavy pundering riffs, his progressive and creative ideas. But most fans expect more melodies from a Dio guitarist and I think that's why most of us don't like this album.

But I also see some great songs on "Strange Higways", such as "Jesus Mary & The Holy Ghost", "Firehead", "Pain" and all of the last five tracks. Lyrics have within this relased left the od times of slaying dragongs, good against evil and stuff like that and is instead a lot about evolution, rape, justice and similar topics.

I will listen more to this one, and I suggest you all give it a chance at least, cause it's NOT one of worst releases from Ronnie James Dio.

1. Jesus Mary & The Holy Ghost
2. Firehead
3. Strange Higways
4. Hollywood Black
5. Evilution
6. Pain
7. One Foot In the Grave
8. Give Her the Gun
9. Blood From a Stone
10. Here's To You
11. Bring Down the Rain