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Photos provided by Cole Rolland
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The viral virtuoso talks gear, genre fusion, and carving a new lane for guitarists online and on stage.
Cole Rolland is not your typical guitar virtuoso—he’s a visionary force pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a guitarist in the digital age. Hailing from Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada, Cole picked up the guitar at age 10 and quickly began crafting a voice that merged raw technical skill with cinematic production and genre-blending creativity.
What started as a teenage YouTube experiment exploded into a full-fledged career. His viral cover of DragonForce’s “Through the Fire and Flames” launched him into the spotlight at just 15 years old. Since then, Cole has amassed over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and hundreds of millions of views, making him one of the most recognized online guitarists in the world.
But Cole is more than a YouTube star—he’s a musical architect. He reinvents popular songs across genres, from EDM to metal and classical, creating transformative covers that feel like entirely new compositions. His high-energy, visually stunning videos have gained praise from outlets like Guitar World, CBC News, and Kerrang!, and earned nods from artists such as Zedd, Illenium, and The Chainsmokers.
Cole’s original work is just as powerful. His 2019 EP Passenger and the emotionally charged single “Ignite”—which also marked his debut as a vocalist—showcase his evolution as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He continues to work on original material with top producers like Zach Jones, blurring the lines between rock, pop, and electronic music.
Live, Cole has shared the stage with artists like ILLENIUM, Krewella, and Adventure Club, bringing his dynamic energy to massive festival audiences. Whether it's on tour or in the studio, he pairs his Kiesel signature guitars with a powerhouse digital rig featuring Fractal Audio, STL Tones, and Waves plugins.
At the core of his journey is a philosophy rooted in consistency, creativity, and fearlessness. Cole’s story isn’t just about shredding solos—it’s about building a career through passion, innovation, and a relentless drive to inspire others.
INTERVIEW WITH COLE ROLLAND AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: At what point did you realize that your guitar covers were turning into something bigger than a hobby?
Cole Rolland: I think it really hit me when I started getting messages from people all over the world saying my covers were inspiring them to pick up the guitar again or for the first time. It’s important to note that this was in 2010 and I was 16 years old – that felt so incredibly motivating to me. That, and when I saw the numbers start snowballing. One video turned into ten, then into a whole catalog. It stopped being just about the guitar and became about seeing how far I could take this thing.
Guitar Thrills: What was it about “Through the Fire and Flames” that made it the right track for your breakout moment?
Cole Rolland: That song is one of the “Infinity Stones” of guitar technicality. It’s intense, over-the-top, and unforgiving, so when I decided to shoot my shot, I knew it had the potential to make some noise if done well. I set out to make the most accurate, highest-quality guitar cover of TTFAF that I possibly could. I’m grateful to say that Herman Li has become a great friend and mentor of mine.
Guitar Thrills: How did growing up in a small town shape your early approach to music and content creation?
Cole Rolland: It forced me to get creative. There wasn’t a massive music scene or a ton of opportunities right out my front door, so I turned to the internet. YouTube became my stage, and I learned early on how to be self-sufficient with everything from tracking to editing and eventually business. That DIY mindset still drives everything I do.
Guitar Thrills: You’ve mastered the blend of visual and sonic storytelling. What’s your creative process like when building a cover video?
Cole Rolland: It always starts with asking, how can I make this feel like a movie? I storyboard it mentally, thinking about mood, location, camera movement, while also dialing in the arrangement. It needs to feel immersive, and if anything takes me out of the experience, it needs to be tweaked until it's right. I don’t want it to just sound good, I want it to look and feel larger than life.
Guitar Thrills: What drew you to covering EDM tracks with guitar, and how did you find your sound in that space?
Cole Rolland: I was always captivated by how massive, dynamic, and engaging EDM tracks were, and I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between electronic and rock or metal energy. Guitar has such emotional weight, and when paired with synths and drops, it hits different. Finding my sound came down to treating the guitar like a lead vocal or a lead synth and figuring out how to best emulate those sounds through articulation, effects, and delivery.
Guitar Thrills: How do you stay ahead of trends while staying true to your own musical identity?
Cole Rolland: It’s a constant balance. I keep an eye on what’s trending but filter it through my lens. If a new sound or technique excites me, I find a way to make it feel authentic rather than chasing it just for the sake of relevance. At the end of the day, people connect with honesty and you can’t fake that.
Guitar Thrills: Your tone and precision are standout features. How did you develop your playing style over the years?
Cole Rolland: A lot of trial and error and an unhealthy number of hours posted up in the studio, to be honest. I’ve always been obsessed with detail. My mind is like a sponge for ideas and I struggle to shut it off sometimes. My style is constantly evolving and being refined, and I’m always at my best when I’m ingesting a lot of quality art. Whether it’s music, movies, games, or a well-produced live event, the gears are always turning.
Guitar Thrills: Can you walk us through your current rig and what makes your Kiesel signature models unique?
Cole Rolland: I left Kiesel Guitars in 2024.
Guitar Thrills: What plugins, effects, or software do you rely on to shape your massive guitar tones?
Cole Rolland: Neural DSP plugins are a big part of my tone these days. For guitar specifically, I run this order on my signal chain: EQ, compression, FX, sends. Nothing fancy. A ton of it can be achieved with stock Logic plugins. You can actually see every piece of equipment I have in my studio on my website here.
Guitar Thrills: “Ignite” marked a shift. You stepped into vocals and original songwriting. What pushed you to take that leap?
Cole Rolland: I felt like it was time to evolve, but it was scary. Covers were my foundation, but I knew I could pull it off if I really gave it my all. “Ignite” was about stepping into that next chapter and taking creative risks. It was a way of saying, this is who I am as an artist, not just a guitarist. That was about four years ago, and I’m incredibly proud of my continued development and improvement in the songwriting and production world. It feels good.
Guitar Thrills: How different is your mindset when creating original music versus reimagining someone else’s song?
Cole Rolland: With covers, the roadmap is already there, but if we’re going to get the team together, it has to be transformative. There needs to be a good reason for people to seek out my version, and at this stage in my career, I like to achieve that through full-production, reimagined works. Originals are wide open, and that freedom is both exciting and paralyzing. You’re building the foundation, not just reskinning it. It feels like my best original work happens when I have something I need to say or get off my chest.
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