Dio - "Strange Highways" (1993): The best Dio album as a whole?

[GaetanL]

I'm currently revisiting Dio...

Maybe no classic Dio songs on "Strange Highways" like on the previous albums. But when listening a Dio album from start to finish, I think this is the best album!

[Nos]

It's certainly not as bad as "Angry Machines", but I've still got it firmly in the bottom half of the Dio discography.

I'd put "Dream Evil" at the top, I don't care much for "Sacred Heart", but I think "Master Of The Moon" is way better than it gets credit for.

And I also think "Magica" is hugely overrated.

[GaetanL]

I'd put "Dream Evil" at the top

No song as good as "Dream Evil" and "All The Fools Sailed Away" on "Strange Highways" but the album "Dream Evil" is to me not as good as "Strange Highways" when listening to the album from start to finish.

[Guillaume]

I'm currently revisiting Dio...

Maybe no classic Dio songs on "Strange Highways" like on the previous albums. But when listening a Dio album from start to finish, I think this is the best album!

No!! I really like Strange Highways, but nothing touches Holy Diver and Last In Line from start to finish IMO. I also prefer Dream Evil over it and Sacred Heart too (save for last song Shoot Shoot, which is plain dull).
I'll also take Magica over it, and Killing The Dragon.
So, only Master of the Moon comes after Strange Highways in my appreciation listing. But, as I said, I really like it. Angry Machines is the only weak Dio disc for me.

[arnavut]

Even though I think Dio is THE VOICE of Metal, I could not get into Strange Highways.
I also think Dream Evil is his best album.
In terms of his most underrated album my vote would go to Lock up the Wolves, title track being one of the best songs he ever recorded.

[gazinwales]

Every Dio album has a couple of not so great songs on them (filler).
Even the great Holy Diver and Last in Line have a couple of clunkers

[Guillaume]

Every Dio album has a couple of not so great songs on them (filler).
Even the great Holy Diver and Last in Line have a couple of clunkers

Hmmmm... What would be the clunkers on these 2 albums?

[Nos]

Hmmmm... What would be the clunkers on these 2 albums?

On "Holy Diver", I've never thought "Straight Through The Heart" or "Invisible" were all that good. I imagine there will be a few votes for "Caught In The Middle", since it sounds a bit like Dio doing pop, though I love that one.

[GaetanL]

Looks like I'm not the only one who like "Strange Highways"... It's worth what it's worth but "Strange Highways" get the highest score on metal archives...

Again, I'm not saying this is the best Dio album. I don't give it a higher rating than the classic Dio albums. No classic Dio songs on "Strange Highways" but I like it from start to finish...

One thing for sure for me, this is my favorite Dio album compare to every albums that come after...

[gazinwales]

Every Dio album has a couple of not so great songs on them (filler).
Even the great Holy Diver and Last in Line have a couple of clunkers

Hmmmm... What would be the clunkers on these 2 albums?

HD gives us Gypsy/Invisible and borderline Shame On The Night.
While the follow up delivered Breathless and Eat Your Heart Out.

[Guillaume]

Every Dio album has a couple of not so great songs on them (filler).
Even the great Holy Diver and Last in Line have a couple of clunkers

Hmmmm... What would be the clunkers on these 2 albums?

HD gives us Gypsy/Invisible and borderline Shame On The Night.
While the follow up delivered Breathless and Eat Your Heart Out.

All 5 are excellent songs for me.

[nvandyk]

Essential:
Holy Diver
Last in Line

--

Very Good:
Sacred Heart
Dream Evil

--

Several Good Tracks:
Strange Highways

--

One or Two Good Tracks:
Killing the Dragon
Magica

--

A Good Track if I Think Hard:
Angry Machines
Lock up the Wolves

--
Listened to Once and Never Again:
Master of the Moon