Practice Studio

Cacophony - Images - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

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SECTIONS

Select a Loop

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End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E minor
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Go Off! album cover
Go Off!
1989 3:44
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Images


"Images" from the 1989 album *Go Off!* is one of the more melodically demanding pieces in the Cacophony catalogue, sitting in E minor at 120 BPM in standard tuning. While that tempo sounds approachable on paper, the neoclassical phrasing and twin-guitar interplay between Marty Friedman and Jason Becker require clean articulation at every note, and sloppy fretting will expose itself quickly. The challenge here is not raw speed alone but sustaining an expressive, singing tone through legato runs and melodic lead lines that need to feel fluid rather than mechanical. Pay close attention to how the phrases resolve within the minor key, because the harmonic movement is what gives the piece its character. If the main melodic passages are tripping you up, pull them into the Practice Toolbar, slow them right down, and drill each phrase in isolation before stitching them together. Getting the feel right at a reduced tempo will save you a lot of frustration later.

  • The song sits in E minor standard tuning, so no retuning is needed, but the neoclassical phrasing demands precise left-hand position and consistent finger pressure throughout.
  • Twin-guitar harmony lines are central to the arrangement, making it a strong study in playing melodic leads with controlled dynamics rather than relying on distortion to fill the sound.
  • At 120 BPM the tempo is moderate, but the legato runs and melodic intervals require slow, deliberate practice before attempting the song at full speed.

How to Play Images

The song moves through: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E minor · Tempo: 120 BPM · Difficulty: Medium

The arrangement runs through 8 distinct sections, so it helps to learn it in blocks rather than front to back.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The Marshall JCM800 delivered the thick, saturated distortion that defined Cacophony's neoclassical shred sound, pushing both Friedman and Becker's high-output humbuckers into articulate, cutting tones perfect for dual-guitar harmonies and sweep arpeggios.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

With gain maxed out on tube amps, the ISP Decimator noise gate was essential for keeping Cacophony's high-speed lead passages clean, silencing feedback between rapid alternate picking and legato runs without compromising tone during active playing.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)