The Extremist is the fourth studio album by guitarist Joe Satriani, released in July 1992 through Epic Records and reissued on June 16, 2008 as part of the Joe Satriani Original Album Classics box set. It is one of his most popular albums and his highest-charting to date, reaching #22 on that year's Billboard 200 chart and remaining there for 28 weeks. Three singles also charted on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks: "Friends" at #12, "Summer Song" at #5 and "Cryin'" at #24.
"War" was used by Disney to promote products for the Power Rangers franchise at their theme parks, whilst "Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness" is dedicated to Satriani's wife, Rubina, and is the second track named after her.
The aforementioned "Summer Song" is one of Satriani's most well-known songs, and remains a mainstay at his concerts. It was used by Sony in a commercial around the time of its release, as well being included on the soundtrack to two video games: Formula 1 for the PlayStation in 1996, and Gran Turismo 4 for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. Currently it is used as the intro to the radio show, Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw, on Jack 100.7 FM in San Diego, California.
"Speed of Light", an unused track recorded during the album's sessions, was later released in 1993 on Satriani's fifth studio album, Time Machine.
Read more about The Extremist: Track Listing, Personnel