Over the eight years Kiko Loureiro was part of Megadeth, he earned high praise from fans, critics, and the band’s members. Known for his exceptional guitar skills, Loureiro’s ability to seamlessly integrate into the band was especially noteworthy, considering he joined Megadeth at a time when many fans held a strong attachment to the group’s classic era. While nothing could ever eclipse that phase in the band’s history, the period from 2015 to 2023, which ended with Loureiro’s amicable departure, remains a memorable and unique chapter in Megadeth’s career.
In a 2016 interview with music journalist Steve Rosen, which was recently shared on Rosen’s YouTube page, Dave Mustaine opened up about his musical chemistry with Loureiro. When asked about the impact of playing alongside different guitarists, Mustaine reflected on the personal connections he built with them. He shared, “There’s not really that much of a difference when you’re playing with great guitar players,” but emphasized the importance of personal connections. He recalled the bond that had developed with Loureiro: “During the couple of months I’ve been with Kiko, we have become very close friends.”
Mustaine also highlighted the contrasts between his experience with Loureiro and his previous bandmates. “There was a weirdness with Marty [Friedman] that we just…,” Mustaine paused, indicating a barrier between himself and Friedman. He further elaborated that even bassist David Ellefson agreed that the relationship with Friedman was challenging: “We could not cross that barrier, that he would just not let people in.” Mustaine also reflected on his turbulent experiences with former guitarists Chris Poland and Jeff Young, admitting that he never developed a close connection with them.
On the other hand, Mustaine spoke fondly of guitarists like Glen Drover and Al Pitrelli, whom he said he became close to during their time in Megadeth. He noted how much fun it was to bond with them, both off-stage and during performances. He explained, “When you get up on stage, you’re kind of carrying on the fun stuff like that, versus if it’s like, ‘Hey Sam. Hey Larry’, you know, that kind of thing.”
For Mustaine, the camaraderie with Loureiro was crucial, especially given the challenges of being away from home for extended periods. He described their relationship as one built on mutual enjoyment, saying, “We have so much fun, just goofing around and doing silly stuff all the time. I think that’s important. Because when you leave home and you’re gone for this long, and you’re with a guy that you barely know, it could be really bad.”
Although Mustaine acknowledged his struggles to forge a strong connection with Marty Friedman, the two have since expressed mutual respect. In 2023, Mustaine recalled the duo’s reunion shows as “very sentimental,” praising how well their guitar styles blended. He added, “We just worked together. The two guitar styles worked really well together.” Reflecting on their time together in Megadeth, Mustaine fondly remembered the numerous solos they shared, noting how their collaboration set a distinct musical style for the band moving forward.
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