THE EMPYREAN is the eighth solo album by JOHN FRUSCIANTE. It was originally released in January of 2009, reaching number 151 on the US Billboard 200, 105 on UK Albums Chart and number 7 on the Top Heatseekers. It contains contributions from RHCP bandmate FLEA and former guitarist of The Smiths JOHNNY MARR.

John Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, composer, and producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the rock band RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. He has recorded six studio albums with them and was recently inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. Frusciante has an active solo career, having released twelve solo albums and five EPs; his recordings include elements ranging from experimental rock and ambient music to new wave and electronica. He has also recorded with numerous other artists, including the Mars Volta, for whom he was a studio guitarist (and occasional live performer) from 2002 until 2008; JOSH KLINGHOFFER and JOE LALLY, with whom he released two albums as Ataxia; and various collaborations with both Klinghoffer and OMAR RODRÍGUEZ-LÓPEZ. He has also produced and/or recorded with DURAN DURAN, WU-TANG CLAN, SWAHILI BLONDE, BLACK KNIGHTS, THE BICYCLE THIEF, GLENN HUGHES, ZIGGY MARLEY, JOHNNY CASH, GEORGE CLINTON, JOHNNY MARR, DEWA BUDJANA and others.