New MEGADETH Guitarist KIKO LOUREIRO: 'I'm Honored To Be Part Of This Legacy'

In a brand new interview with Jump Metal, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro — best known for his work with ANGRA — was asked what it has been like joining MEGADETH as the replacement for Chris Broderick. He responded: “Yeah, it has been great to work with [Dave] Mustaine [MEGADETH mainman], [David] Ellefson [MEGADETH bassist] and Chris Adler [LAMB OF GOD drummer, who played on the upcoming MEGADETH CD and is playing select shows with the group]. I recorded the [new MEGADETH] album and now I’m learning the new songs… Sorry… I’m learning new songs for me, but the old [MEGADETH] songs for the show we’re gonna have in ten days [on July 18] in Quebec at the summer festival [at the Festival D’été De Québec, also known as by its acronym FEQ, or Quebec City Summer Festival in English], and then we’re gonna have some touring this year. So I’m learning the old stuff, the previous material as well.”

He continued: “It’s quite challenging… [doing the] double shift, double work with ANGRA and [MEGADETH]… I just came from a tour with ANGRA and I have to go straight to learn the [MEGADETH] songs. During the [ANGRA] tour, I was already listening and trying to learn the old material from MEGADETH.”

Kiko added: “It’s amazing [to be part of MEGADETH]. It’s a great opportunity, it’s a great band, great guys, great music. I’m very honored to be in MEGADETH and that the guys have chosen me to be the guitar player. It’s a band that always had a great spot for guitar players. They always had great guitar players since the beginning: Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, Chris Broderick… some great guitar players. So I’m honored to be part of this legacy.”

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Mustaine stated about Loureiro: “Finding Kiko was really a mind-blower. It was the first time since Marty Friedman joined the band that I was really intimidated as a player. He’s such an amazing talent, and he’s been coming in with all of these fresh ideas.” Mustaine has also called Loureiro the “best guitarist we’ve ever had,” adding that he was a good fit personality wise. “Chris [Broderick] and I had a good chemistry, but we weren’t really as close as I would have wanted us to be,” Mustaine explained. “Kiko, I feel like I’ve known him for years.”