Rusty Cooley - Official Site

Yo Rusty,
Hey, thank you so much for your "Outworld" CD, man. I really, really dig it; I am not just being polite (heh heh). The odd rhythms kick my ass. You are quite the shredder.

I know you dig Yngwie but I think you are way beyond him musically. You certainly don't need advice from an old crip like me, but I would explore more of yourself when playing solos. You are better and more imaginative than Yngwie so I would bring that out more like you do in your rhythms.

Also, maybe have a couple of softer sections in your heavy stuff. That would make your heavy stuff sound even bigger and badder in contrast.

“If there was an Olympic sport for command of the guitar then Rusty Cooley is one of the greats”
- Mark Tremonti Feb 2008 Total Guitar magazine.

"There is a guy who kicked my ass in a major way – Rusty Cooley who I have become friends with. He is an ultra technical ultra shred monster man, a real kick in the ass. As I’ve said, it’s like you really think you can play and then you hear that stuff!"
- John Petrucci, www.alloutguitar.com Interview

"After listening to the Outworld CD, I was blown away by the killer songwriting and musicianship of this great band. There are tons of hooks and catchy choruses that will make this driving force of excellent musicians something to watch out for in 2007!"

"Congratulations on all of the notoriety your excellent playing has brought you. I just listened to some cuts from your band on your My Space site and to some stuff on your site and was very impressed with the guitar work. When I first heard you over 10 years ago you showed a lot of promise but I think you have delivered on that promise and then some. All the Best.
- Mike Varney, Shrapnel Records Inc.

"Thick guitar tones, unbelievable playing and aggressive metal/prog/melodic tunes. That's the best way for me to describe Outworld's latest release. Being a huge fan of Rusty, this is definitely his best to date. The guitar playing is intricate, creative and beyond comprehension at times while at the same time incorporating unique and interesting phrasing. In fact, all of the players really shine on this CD. The thing that stands out the most however, is the maturity of the song structures. Really cool riffs, melodic hooks and a great mix have made this one of my favorite releases this year."
- John Petrucci, Dream Theater

“Outworld's debut cd is a world class release. Progressive Metal is an understatement scary!!”
- Mark Tremonti, Alter Bridge

“Rusty is a super shredder from Texas with some truly scarifying chops. On 6-, 7-, and even 8 string guitars he lays down phenomenal picked and legato runs… and then can sweep pick the whole place clean with death-defying arpeggios. Further more, he’s one of the first players to take advantage of the internet and earn a sizable web following via his site. Rusty is a prime example of the 21st-century” super shredder.”
This quote was taken from the book Shred! The Ultimate Guide To Warp Speed Guitar by Rich Maloof and Pete Prown.

“He makes Yngwie look positively pedestrian!” - Neville Marten Guitar Techniques magazine editor August 2006 issue.

“Yep, We’ve got US Uber-Shredder, Rusty Cooley on board to drive your digits crazy! So enjoy this unique video column that should have you out- sweeping Yngwie, Out-legatoing Satriani, out-tapping Eddie and out-picking Petrucci. Whether this takes you a week or several years is down to your hunger for shred chops of doom!”
- Jason Sidwell Guitar Techniques magazine August 2006.

"Smoken' Good Grief, fast mo-fo!"

"Hey brotha! Thank you for the totally cool and ripping CDs and the mention in the liner notes. I am totally honored. Congratulations, man. Good luck with it, my friend. Peace out."
-Jason Becker

"Upon receiving Rusty's instructional series, I saw my technique improve drastically. He is a killer player with tons of talent and songwriting expertise. Highly recommended."
- JEFF LOOMIS / NEVERMORE, 2004

"When you hear Rusty Cooley's ability you will swear he wasn't human"
-Mark Tremonti - Alter Bridge

You are an amazing musician, I bought your Shred Guitar Manifesto cd rom, and it helped me make huge advances in my playing. and I would say that it influenced some of the licks on our record as well. Anyway keep shredding, talk to you soon.
- Buzz McGrath -UNEARTH

"I've never heard anyone tear up a guitar like he does... that ain't no hype... he outshoots them all."
-Ron Thal

"Over the top 7 string....Rusty is an awesome player, on the cutting edge, taking guitar into the 21st century"
-Michael Angelo Batio

"I was blown away ! Hes a monster from TEXAS, He's a really talented player with some monster chops , I'm looking foward to his full length cd when it comes out!"
-Rob Johnson

"Awesome arpeggios plus electrifying legato plus fiery picking equal over the top chops. Hard rockin.."
-Derek Taylor, Shrapnel Recording Artist

"The most terrifying thing I've heard since, Gilbert, Becker and LeTekro"
-Darren Householder, Shrapnel Recording Artist

"Rusty's two contributions to the Generation Ibanez project are mind blowing, foot stomping, instrumentals that will you leave you hungry for more"
-From the Generation Ibanez website

"The most shredding I have heard in a long time..."
-Eddie Head, guitarist for Shrapnel Recording Artists "Haji's Kitchen"

"Rusty Cooley's stuff leaves people hiding in the f**king corner. I'm not kidding. I've actually seen it happen."
-Joe Becker

"Rusty's music and technical ability can not be labeled as anything but from another realm other than Earth, there is no other explanation!"
-Tony Smotherman

"Over the top, full tilt intense shred. I have his instructional cd rom"Shred Guitar Manifesto" and some of the licks on there are unbelievable. Can't wait to hear his full length cd. A very cool guy as well."
-Tom Kopyto

" Listening or watching Rusty gives me tendonitis! Rusty has more chops than anyone I've seen in ten years. If Rusty doesn't break out and become a mega guitar star in the next couple of years something is really wrong with the buying public!"
-Doug Stapp

"Crazy chops and wide interval licks. How he stretches his fingers that far apart without tearing something is beyond me."
-Scott Stine

"Love the guy. He's a good friend and tremendous over the top chops player."
-Terry Syrek

"With it's imposable fast multi-positioned A minor arpeggio "Shred Guitar Manifesto" is downright scary."
-Chris O'Bryne, Guitar One magazine

"I am convinced that Rusty is one of the most technically proficient shredders around"
-Stephen Ross

"Rusty is an exceptional guitarist who plays a mean 7 string barrage of super fast harmonies, arpeggios and other light speed riffs.This guy plays it like he feels it. shred is in his heart!"
-Marc Pattison

"Cooley's debut cd will make shred fans stand up and take notice, while proving he's mastered the modern guitar hero idiom"
-Dan McAvichey, Guitar Nine Records

"Great Guitar work!! I heard your album and love it.. You have your very own style and sound and that's the most important thing there is!! It's good to have a player like yourself on the planet."
-Joop Walters

"I absolutely DUG the disc! You are such an incredible player, with impeccable chops and writing skills...truly frightening stuff man!!"
-Scott Jones, Progressive Arts recording artist

"I feel your CD is the best CD I've heard since George Bellas Turn Of The Millennium. I was blown away by it every tune was a feast for my ears, it was like when I heard Edge Of Insanity from Tony MacAlpine for the first time it gave me that kind of feeling. Truly a work of great playing."
-Matthew Mills

You are a total bad ass bro! I love your vibrato and phrasing. Tons of fire in those phrases! Of course your chops are great too. There are a lot of guys with great technique, but so few play with fire man. Bellas has it, you have it and a small handful of others. great job bro! I wish you all the best. Rusty....you've earned it man!
-Tom Hess

"Duuuuuude, I got your CD today and I'm listening to it again. It is great man!!!!!! I love war of the angels and many more. You play more notes on this record, than Van Halen, vai, and Yngwie in their whole careers man. Awesome."
- Andy Martin, Favored Nations recording artist and author of Guitar Arpeggio Encyclopedia and 7 String Guitar books

I just got the cd and the DVD yesterday. What can i say!! your cd really gives me a heart beat (sort of speak) amazing chops and songwriting as well. And about the DVD thanks for making an instructional with not just scary chops and speed of light stuff but also a very inspirational content for me.
- Marco Ferrigno

"Rusty is the most incredible guitar player ever heard; no one can be compared to him; he is the most insane shred machine and he can only get better! Power, dynamics, groove, melody, technique... all these things are moved and linked in an exceptional way! I think neither in the next 50 years I will find a player with the same technique and innovative ideas... a real source of inspiration!"
- Francesco Fareri Lion Music Artist

RUSTY COOLEY is one of the best shredders / technical players I have heard in years. Rusty holds the SHRED GUITAR TORCH high and proud, Shred on Rusty. Looking forward to the OUTWORLD cd.
- Rob Johnson, MAGNITUDE 9

“I’ve bought your Shred Guitar Manifesto, it’s incredible! And very helpful to me. Thanks a lot for the quality of it.”
- Laurent Fleury

I just wanted to express an opinion. I am 21, and have been playing guitar since I was 11. I am seriously into metal and lead playing, but I have always had difficulty with that staple of shred guitar: the sweep arpeggio. I’ve had numerous lessons, watched tons of video’s and read countless articles on the fabled sweep, yet, for whatever reason, I just couldn’t do it. Rusty Cooley deserves my eternal gratitude, because he has explained sweeps in such a way that I can actually do them now. Thanks to the last few columns he has written, I’ve been able to go back to all of my old lessons, and articles and the sweeps they demonstrate are now coming to me a lot easier thanks to Mr. Cooley’s teachings. I don’t know where you found this guy, but I hope there is more where he came from.
- Arnold Hablewitz Machesny Park, IL

Rusty Cooley is a great guitar player and his tone is killer and the song's for his instrumentals and Outworld band are just great music for all. Way fast playing and a Good friend.
- David Shankle/DSG www.myspace.com/davidshreddemonshankle

For Outworld Reviews and Interviews Click Here