Out Friday, September 18 on BHP Music
Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends “Tyranny of Tone”
featuring Joe Satriani, Steve Hackett, Bruce Kulick, Gus G, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Doug Rappoport, Gary Hoey, Carl Verheyen, Hal Lindes, Stu Hamm, Joe Deninzon & Karen Briggs
Tyranny of Tone is the 2026 powerhouse release from Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends. Brian was motivated to record the album — and now to build awareness for a cause that matters to him — the California Fire Foundation, which helps the families of fallen firefighters and communities recovering from catastrophic fires. The 2025 Los Angeles fires brought back memories of his own family losing their home in the Catskills, NY. Tarquin lived in Los Angeles from the mid-1980s until 2003, and his Heavy Friends projects have long centered on giving back.
Tyranny of Tone is 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, and cinematic textures.
The album hits all streaming platforms on September 18. Fans can buy it now at guitartrax.bandcamp.com.
Tarquin’s compositions already finding radio airplay include the explosive title track “Tyranny of Tone” with Joe Satriani, the sonic swagger of “IG Nite” featuring Steve Hackett, the celestial funk of “Intergalactic Burn” with guitar from Bruce Kulick, and the jazzy, soulful “Visions of the Eternal Flame” featuring Peter Gabriel’s violinist Karen Briggs.
In the album’s liner notes, Larry Crane of Tape Op praises Tarquin as “a damn good musician, writer, producer, and engineer,” calling Tyranny of Tone a warm, analog-rich record that feels like the classic albums of the ’70s and ’80s. Tarquin records to 2-inch tape, mixes through a Trident console, and masters directly from tape — giving the album its focused tones, musical warmth, and timeless feel. Every note reflects Tarquin’s commitment to tone, authenticity, and service. The analog workflow gives the record the warmth of classic rock and fusion albums, while its collaborative spirit honors the friendships and artistic bonds Tarquin has built over decades.
Brian Tarquin is a multi-Emmy Award–winning composer, guitarist, producer, and engineer whose career spans decades with Top 10 radio hits across several formats. His 2024 release Beyond the Warrior’s Eyes was the #1 fusion album of 2024 on Roots Music Reports.
Tarquin’s music has been heard by tens of millions on popular television shows and programs including CSI, Ellen, Extra, TMZ, 60 Minutes, and Sex and the City, and he has amassed more than 50 million streams. His Jungle Room Studios have become a creative hub where he composes, tracks, and mixes his Heavy Friends projects — albums built around generosity, mentorship, and the joy of bringing elite musicians together.
- Tyranny of Tone — feat. Joe Satriani
Brian Tarquin: rhythm guitar, bass, lead melodies, 1st & end solo
Joe Satriani: intro & 2nd solo
Reggie Pryor: drums - IG Nite — feat. Steve Hackett
Brian Tarquin: rhythm guitar, keyboards, guitar melody & 2nd solo
Steve Hackett: 1st solo
Brandon Miller: bass
Rion Smith: drums - Out of the Ashes — feat. Gary Hoey, Joe Deninzon & Hal Lindes
Brian Tarquin: rhythm guitar, bass, guitar melodies & 1st & 3rd solo
Gary Hoey: 2nd solo
Joe Deninzon: violin solo
Hal Lindes: intro & outro solos
Tony Morra: drums - Dead Reckoning — feat. Gus G
Brian Tarquin: rhythm, bass, guitar melodies, intro solo, 3rd solo & end solo
Gus G: 2nd guitar solo
Tony Morra: drums - Atom Smasher — feat. Bumblefoot & Stu Hamm
Brian Tarquin: rhythm guitars, melodies & 2nd solo
Stu Hamm: bass & bass solos
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal: intro solo & end solo
Reggie Pryor: drums - Intergalactic Burn — feat. Bruce Kulick
Brian Tarquin: Rhodes, clave, guitar melodies, talk box, 1st & 3rd solos
Bruce Kulick: intro guitar & 2nd solo
Brandon Miller: bass
Reggie Pryor: drums - Übermensch — feat. Doug Rappoport
Brian Tarquin: rhythm guitars, guitar melodies, 1st & 2nd solos
Doug Rappoport: middle solo
Brandon Miller: bass
Reggie Pryor: drums - Visions of the Eternal Flame — feat. Karen Briggs
Brian Tarquin: Rhodes, clave, guitar melodies & solo
Karen Briggs: violin, melodies & solo
Brandon Miller: bass
Reggie Pryor: drums - Phoenix Rising — feat. Carl Verheyen
Brian Tarquin: piano, organ, slide guitar, guitar melodies & 2nd solo
Carl Verheyen: middle solo
Brandon Miller: bass
Reggie Pryor: drums
Produced, recorded, and 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.bhpmusic.com
www.briantarquin.com
linktr.ee/guitartrax
www.cafirefoundation.org
guitartrax.bandcamp.com
CALIFORNIA ROCK NEWS 2026 
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