For those still unaware, “Tyranny of Tone” (releasing on Brian’s BHP Music–Guitar Trax Records on September 18th, 2026) is the 2026 powerhouse release from Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends, a guitar‑driven instrumental album that unites Tarquin’s analog craftsmanship with an extraordinary roster of world‑class players.

Recorded at Tarquin’s Jungle Room Studios and mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, the album blends fusion, rock, cinematic textures, and deep musical camaraderie all in service of a cause that matters.

Most important, the album supports the California Fire Foundation (link below), helping families of fallen firefighters and communities recovering from catastrophic fires. Tarquin’s Heavy Friends projects have long centered on giving back — and “Tyranny of Tone” continues that legacy with heart, intention, and world‑class musicianship.

1. Tyranny of Tone (feat. Joe Satriani)
2. IG-NITE (feat. Steve Hackett)
3. Out of the Ashes (feat. Gary Hoey, Joe Deninzon and Hal Lindes
4. Dead Reckoning (feat. Gus G.)
5. Atom Smasher (feat. Bumblefoot & Stu Hamm)
6. Intergalactic Burn (feat. Bruce Kulick)
7. Ubermensch (feat. Doug Rappaport)
8. Visons of the Eternal Flame (feat. Karen Briggs)
9. Pheonix Rising (feat. Carl Verheyen)

The multi‑Emmy Award–winning composer, guitarist, producer, and engineer whose career spans decades, opens his new recording on the scorching title cut Tyranny of Tone (featuring Joe Satriani) and the propulsive IG-NITE (featuring Steve Hackett) and then we are brought forth the free-flowing AOR of Out of the Ashes (featuring Gary Hoey, Joe Deninzon and Hal Lindes) and the drum-led, guitar-fed brilliance of Dead Reckoning (feat. Gus G.).

Along next is the melodious rocker Atom Smasher (featuring Bumblefoot & Stu Hamm) which is in turn backed seamlessly by the funkily grooved spatial beauty Intergalactic Burn (featuring Bruce Kulick), the soaring Ubermensch (featuring Doug Rappaport), the new set rounding out on the jazz-imbibed smoothness of Visons of the Eternal Flame (featuring Karen Briggs), coming to an all-too-soon close on the veritably glistening ambiance of the elegant mid-tempo balladry of Phoenix Rising (featuring Carl Verheyen).

“Tyranny of Tone” features an extraordinary cast of collaborators — players who shaped rock, fusion, prog, and modern guitar culture: Joe Satriani, Steve Hackett (Genesis), Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad), Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses), Doug Rappoport (Edgar Winter), Gary Hoey, Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), Stu Hamm (Steve Vai). Plus two extraordinary violinists: Joe Deninzon (Kansas, Stratospheerius) and Karen Briggs (Peter Gabriel).

Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Brian Tarquin at Jungle Room Studios Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering All songs composed by Liam Tarquin (SESAC) Liam Tarquin Music Publishing (SESAC) BHP Music–Guitar Trax Records ©2026.

www.briantarquin.com