Megadeth: Kiko Loureiro will remain on “extended leave”, says Dave Mustaine

With a date set to play in Brazil, the Megadeth Maybe not all the members will be able to visit the country with their 16th album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead (2022). The band leader, Dave Mustaineannounced that the guitarist Kiko Loureiro must “extend” his absence from touring activities.

On the social networks, Mustaine revealed that he had a telephone conversation with the Brazilian Kiko to update on the musician’s family situation, which led him to miss the last North American leg of the group’s tour. He also confirmed that Teemu Mäntysaari will continue to act as guitarist in the current line-up of shows.

Kiko He is a high-level professional, a maestro. He didn’t want to hurt the Megadeth. [… ]Initially, this would only be until the first week of October 2023. However, things rarely go the way they are planned. Kiko will continue on extended leave.

Mustaine concluded his message by thanking the guitarist for his dedication and hard work over the last 9 years, helping the band to obtain important awards, such as a Grammy for the album Dystopia (2019). And he made it clear: “I could not have done this without the Kiko Loureiro”.