The Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro left Angra to join Megadeth in 2015 and since then toured and recorded with the group. Now he announced he will have to take a break from the band during their next tour to help his family.
Kiko Loureiro will take a break from Megadeth to help his family
“Kiko checking in here! Our new record ‘The Sick, The Dying, and The Dead’ and our ‘Crush The World tour have been great. The worldwide chart positions have been our best yet! We want to really thank you for that.
“I have something that is difficult to share, but we always like to keep you informed with the truth. I have to leave the tour for now, to be home with my children, and to help them face the difficult challenges that arise from us being ‘Dads that work away from home.’
He continued:
“I found a guitarist, Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound), to fill in for me during the fall, and I think you’ll be very happy. He’s an amazing, incredible player. I have shared this with my partner in shred, Dave Mustaine, and to no surprise, he said, ‘Go! Go be there for your family and keep us posted!’
“To my band mates and all of our fans around the world, see you all very soon, back out on the Killing Road!” Kiko Loureiro said.
Dave Mustaine also talked about Kiko’s absence during the next leg: “Kiko has had something come up in his family life that requires him to miss this next leg of our ‘Crush The World’ tour. We will not be cancelling the tour, and we’ll introduce you to Teemu on September 6th in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Revel Arena. We are asking for your support and understanding at this time,” Dave Mustaine said.