Video footage of Megadeth‘s latest addition, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with Angra, performing an acoustic version of of the populair Christmas carol “Silent Night” can be seen below.
In a recent interview with The Irish Sun, Megadeth mainman Dave Mustane was full of praise for Loureiro. He said: “A lot of times guitarists won’t know how to add to something — they’ll put something in there that’s kind of like tits on a bull, unnecessary. Kiko came in and immediately started making some really good suggestions that we applied [to Megadeth‘s new album, “Dystopia”]. When he first came in, I knew he had the ability but I didn’t know if the songwriting technique and talent was going to show up this early on.”
He continued: “What was great about the suggestions that Kiko made was that they weren’t just guitar ones — he made a bass part in a song called ‘Me Hate You’ [that made it] really come along. In fact, that was one of the songs where he made a huge melodic contribution in the chorus and I said, ‘Man, this sounds like something.'”
According to Dave, Kiko possesses all the elements that are required to become part of a legendary metal act like Megadeth.
“For me — really simply stated — if you want to be a musician, that’s one thing. If you want to be a rock star, that’s another,” Mustaine said. “But if you want to be legendary, you need to have three very important components: you need to have ability, you need to have appearance, and you need to have attitude. Without all three of those things, it’s kind of like trying to have a three-legged milk stool without three legs — it’s just not going to work.”
He continued: “I found with Kiko, his ability was astronomical, with his attitude he was very confident in what he did — there’s a difference between confidence and arrogance. In appearance, he was very classy and very subdued on the street, but up on stage he totally takes command of his performance. When he came up to Nashville to visit with me, I didn’t even have him play for the majority of the day he was there. I just wanted to hang out with him and it’s been a really long time since I hung out with a guitar player before I hired him. Usually I would listen to how he played and then I’d go, ‘OK, we’ll work it out.’ I didn’t want to do that again. Hanging out with Kiko, and having lunch and kicking back and talking music was all I needed — I knew he was the right guy.”
“Dystopia” marks the recording debut of Megadeth‘s new lineup, featuring founding members Mustaine(guitar, vocals) and David Ellefson (bass) alongside Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with Angra.
Megadeth will team up with Suicidal Tendencies, Children of Bodom and Havok for a North American tour in early 2016. The four-band package — which will launch on February 20 in Dallas, Texas and wrap on March 24 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Tracklist:
01. Death From Within
02. Fatal Illusion [stream]
03. Conquer… Or Die!
04. Lying In State
05. Me Hate You
06. The Emperor’s New Clothes
07. Dystopia
08. Bullet To The Brain
09. Last Dying Wish
10. Post American World
11. Look Who’s Talking
12. The Threat Is Real [stream]
13. Poisonous Shadows
14. Melt The Ice Away (Budgie cover)
15. Foreign Policy (Fear cover)
Upcoming Shows:
Feb. 20 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Feb. 21 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
Feb. 23 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore Auditorium
Feb. 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
Feb. 26 – Las Vegas, NV – The Pearl
Feb. 27 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
Feb. 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 29 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
Mar. 02 – Honolulu, HI – The Republik (MEGADETH only)
Mar. 03 – Honolulu, HI – The Republik (MEGADETH only)
Mar. 05 – Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Events Centre
Mar. 06 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Resort
Mar. 08 – Dawson Creek, BC – Encana Events Centre
Mar. 09 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Mar. 10 – Moose Jaw, SK – Mosaic Place
Mar. 13 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
Mar. 15 – Niagara Falls, NY – The Rapids Theatre
Mar. 16 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
Mar. 17 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
Mar. 19 – Bethlehem, PA – Sands Bethlehem Event Center
Mar. 20 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Mar. 21 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
Mar. 23 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center
Mar. 24 – Quebec, QC – Centre Videotron
Mar. 26 – Sioux Falls, SD – Badlands Pawn
May 26 – Badlands Pawn Sioux Falls, SD
Europe:
Jun 3 Monza, Monza F1 Racetrack, IT
Jun 5 Nijmegen, FortaRock, NL
Jun 7 Lodz, Atlas Arena, PL
Jun 9 Solvesborg, Sweden Rock Festival, SE
Jun 11 Castle Donington, Donington Park, UK
Jun 17 Dessel, Graspop Metal Meeting @ Festivalpark , BE
Jun 24 Copenhagen, Copenhell, DK
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