Former Megadeth Guitarist Kiko Loureiro Confirms His Exit From The Band “For Now” – Citing Family and Freedom


 

 

According to a published report by Blabbermouth.net, former Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro has given a new interview on the “Amplifica” podcast, hosted by his former Angra bandmate Rafael Bittencourt. Kiko confirmed he is out of the band citing family and “personal freedom” he needs right now. This comes just a week after Kiko shared he was extending his absence into 24, and Dave Mustaine followed up by sharing that while he respects Kiko’s decision, Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound) would remain with the band for the foreseeable future.

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Dave Mustaine of Megadeth Shares a Message to Fans About The Future of Kiko Loureiro With The Band


 

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth has now weighed in on the status of guitarist Kiko Loureiro. Kiko announced to fans yesterday on social media about his status in the band for 2024. Kiko has been off the road for the last half of 2023 with a “family issue.” Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) completed Megadeth’s 2023 “Crush The World” 2023 tour dates as the lead guitarist in Kiko’s place. Dave has now said that Teemu will stay on in Megadeth for the time being, in a new post.

 

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Kiko Loureiro Updates Megadeth Fans on His Status in The Band for 2024


 

Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro has updated fans on social media with his status in the band for 2024. Kiko has been off the road for the last half of 2023 with a “family issue.” Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) completed Megadeth’s 2023 “Crush The World” 2023 tour dates as the lead guitarist in Kiko’s place. Kiko is s\o far not returning to the band for 2024, due to his on going issues. Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Dirk Verbeuren of Megadeth – “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead” Album Breakdown


 


Ghost Cult’s Omar Cordy held an EXCLUSIVE interview with Dirk Verbeuren of Megadeth! They caught up to discuss the new album “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” and a variety of signposts in Dirk’s journey in heavy music. He chatted about the new album, the return of touring, how the band chooses a setlist, Megadeth’s many soundtrack favorites, Dirk’s thoughts on Gar Sameulson, and Nick Menza, how he made it into the band, how he chose to leave Soilwork in a professional way, his many passions outside of music, and more! 

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Watch Megadeth‘s Kiko Loureiro and Dirk Verbeuren Visit YouTube Headquarters 


Megadeth’s guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren recently visited the headquarters of YouTube while on tour opening for Five Finger Death Punch. The band are on tour supporting their just released their new album The Sick… The Dying… and The Dead! (read our review here). Kiko and Dirk toured the campus, and then sat for an interview where they answered questions about social media, their gear, their favorite cities to perform in, and more!  

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ALBUM REVIEW: Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead


 

Whether you want it to or not, once a nickname is acquired, it sticks. Sometimes for life. For almost as long as the band has existed itself, Californian speed metal legends Megadeth have been known by fans as Megadave. A purely affectionate nickname for sure, but one which grew out of frontman Dave Mustaine‘s often brutal and cold-blooded approach to personnel management. The singular constant in a revolving door of band members, make no mistake. Mustaine is Megadeth. Always was, always will be.

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PODCAST: Episode 123: Derek Sherinian on “The Phoenix”, Prog, and More!


Ghost Cult caught up with progressive music legend and keyboardist/producer Derek Sherinian, (Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion, ex-Dream Theater) to chat all about this new solo album, out this week, September 18th, via InsideOut Music. Derek discussed the new album, working with special guests such as Tony Franklin, Jimmy Johnson, Billy Sheehan, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Kiko Loureiro, Derek’s approach to composition, how he lays down guest tracks for bands around the world every day from his home studio, his with mentor and friend Simon Philips, covering Buddy Miles, a hint at future Sons of Apollo plans, discussing his keyboard heroes from history, and a cool story about Patrick Moraz. Pre-order the album here: https://dereksherinian.lnk.to/ThePhoenix and check out our chat. Continue reading


A New Documentary Pays Tribute to Andre Matos (Angra) One Year After His Death


 

A new documentary pays tribute to Andre Matos and reveals both his artistry and his life away from the stage. Matos, founder of the bands’ Viper, Angra, Shaman, and Symfonia, owner of a huge musical legacy. Matos passed away tragically young on June 8th, 2019 at just 47 years old. To comfort the hearts of all the fans and friends of the unforgettable musician, especially in the Brazilian metal scene, Regis Tadeu and Paulo Baron has now released a three-episode documentary about him, a new and very special material, which is already available on YouTube. Episode one is live now and more episodes will be released soon. 

Testimonials come from a who’s who names such as Alberto Rionda, Alírio Netto, Andre “Zaza” Hernandes, Drico Mello, Eloy Casagrande, Fabio Lione, Felipe Machado, Guilherme Canaes, Ivan Busic, Kiko Loureiro, Luis Mariutti, Patrick Nicholas Korb, Paulo Baron, Penélope Nova, Marcello Pompeu, Rafael Bittencourt, Regis Tadeu, Rogerio Rossato, Roy Z, Timo Tolkki and Yves Passarell. Everyone on the list was curated, they are friends who really knew Andre Matos in detail.

For example, MTV presenter and ex-vj Penélope Nova was Andre’s girlfriend for a season. Guilherme Canaes was a sound engineer and one of the musician’s best friends during his time in the big bands and also during his solo career. Patrick Nicholas Korb is the videographer who recorded many moments of Andre Matos, and is also responsible for recording an old video with the testimony: “if I had to leave this world soon I would be happy”, widely broadcast on the internet on the time of the singer’s death.

Among the testimonies, it is also possible to know more details told by Paulo Baron and Kiko Loureiro about the possibility of Andre’s return with the band Angra for a very special and commemorative tour. The idea was already being worked out among the musicians, but that, unfortunately, did not happen. Interestingly, Baron had an appointment to meet Andre the same day he died.

“I prepared this documentary to show the more human side of my unforgettable friend Andre Matos, because the icon as a musician we all know that he was the best. We must show that in his most intimate side he was also the best”, comments Baron , who is also responsible for curating and pre-producing the videos.

 

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Megadeth Will Record 18 Songs for Their New Album


Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine has revealed that the band is in the studio and recording up to 18 songs for their highly-anticipated new album, As part of their “The Metal Tour Of The Year” streaming event hosted by SiriusXM’s Jose Mangin, Dave spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band’s follow-up to 2016’s “Dystopia” album. He said (see video below, transcribed by Blabbermouth.net): “Dirk [Verbeuren, drums] and David Ellefson [bass] both just finished their parts. And this was probably one of the strongest records we’ve ever had as far as duration. The other records we’ve done have all done been different lengths, and our [record] contract that we have [to deliver] for one company, it’s eight songs, for another company, it’s 11 songs, so, realistically, all we need to do is do an 11-song album and we’re done, right? That’s not the way old Uncle Dave is, though.

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