In a recent interview, guitarist Chris Poland shared his thoughts on the best guitarist to have played with Megadeth, comparing Kiko Loureiro and Marty Friedman.
Poland expressed his admiration for both guitarists, but ultimately declared Kiko Loureiro his favorite. “I like Marty [Friedman], what he brought to Megadeth. But I think Kiko was my favorite of everyone. I just liked the way he played probably better than anybody. But Marty would be a close second.”
Friedman, who left the band 24 years ago, has since focused on his solo career. Loureiro, who departed Megadeth in late 2023, had previously expressed his desire for Friedman to return to the band. “Actually, I even mentioned to management and Dave that I thought bringing Marty Friedman back would be amazing. I have no idea if they’re talking about it or talking to him, but I did say that. But again, I have no idea beyond that, and I don’t want to make anything more complicated,” Loureiro recalled.
Following Loureiro’s departure, Teemu Mäntysaari joined the band as his replacement. It appears that Friedman holds Loureiro in higher regard than Mäntysaari, as he admitted he has not listened to the band’s recent work with Mäntysaari. “I haven’t [listened to them with Mäntysaari, as a matter of fact, but I’m sure he’s doing a great job if he’s up there doing it,” Friedman said during an interview with Ultimate Guitar.
He added, “And I was able to meet him when I played with the band at Wacken [Open Air festival], and he seemed a very, very cool dude. And I wish him tons and tons of success with the band and it’s gonna be a big fun ride for him, I’m sure.”
Currently, Megadeth has only two scheduled performances: the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester on June 13, and the Tons Of Rock Festival in Oslo, Norway on June 28.
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