Throughout his remaining livestream of 2024 on his YouTube channel, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, greatest identified for his work with MEGADETH and ANGRA, was requested how he offers with author’s block. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “That is an excellent query. I haven’t got that, the author’s block. I do not know. I feel to write down concepts, it is extra how a lot you are judging your concepts. I feel that is the issue. You play one thing, and it is, like, ‘Hey, I did that already,’ or, ‘It does not sound good,’ or, ‘I do not like this,’ ‘No person’s gonna prefer it.’ You begin serious about different folks. Do you assume they’re gonna like that? They’re gonna promote the album. I feel larger bands may need that as a result of they’re afraid of simply doing no matter they they’re doing. I sort of haven’t got that, or I attempt to work on my ideas so I haven’t got that, however I am not [pop superstar] Beyoncé or one thing. So I simply do it. After all I’ve my conflicts — like, ‘Is that this good? Possibly not. Possibly I can attempt a greater, a greater half,’ et cetera. So that is all good. Nevertheless it does not imply I’ve some form of a block that nothing occurs. One thing occurs, after which I do it. Generally I am not even liking that a lot, however then I feel like, ‘Wow, I’ve to place this factor out and see what occurs.’ As a result of generally you write one thing that you do not like. And likewise I am doing this proper now, on this final two months.”
He continued: “After [my latest solo album] ‘Principle Of Thoughts’ was launched, I used to be pondering, ‘‘Principle Of Thoughts’ is sort of sophisticated. Can I do one thing quite simple?’ It was a query to myself. After which I began writing quite simple issues…After which I am not giving names to the concepts. I similar to attempting to have a bunch of concepts. So I feel I am round quantity 20. I used to be simply checking yesterday. So, okay, 20 concepts. 20 songs? I can’t name [them] 20 songs — it is 20 concepts, 20 melodies. After which I used to be doing one melody, [and] it was not so good, but it surely’s, like, ‘Effectively, let me end. Let me see the place that is gonna lead.’ As a result of generally a melody that isn’t so good results in one other half that is higher. And then you definately do away with the not-so-good melody, or that not-so-good melody is only a transition to one thing else. So, that melody sort of works as a transition, but it surely’s not the primary factor or it isn’t the refrain or the primary theme of the music. So, we by no means know. In order that’s why the author’s block, on this sense, it does not occur to me, I suppose. And likewise, once I’m on tour or if I am touring loads, I am not in a temper to write down stuff. So generally I do not even attempt. So possibly if I attempt throughout loopy flights or issues like that, then possibly it isn’t gonna work. So, yeah, throughout the excursions I might contemplate that I’ve a author’s block as a result of my thoughts is extra into enjoying nicely the songs of the tour. However generally you get into that place in a lodge room or backstage that you simply begin enjoying. It is, like, ‘Oh, that is a cool thought.’ And also you get extra impressed otherwise you really feel extra inventive and also you attempt to report that. Additionally with the years doing that, you sort of discover ways to put your self in that area, psychological place, psychological area. You sit down, you realize it takes half-hour, one hour to start out feeling comfy of making stuff that you should utilize. Then you’ve all the time to report your concepts with no judgment. That is essential. So generally I’m going again to my concepts… Generally I discover the unique recordings of some songs that I’ve.”
“Principle Of Thoughts” was launched in November.
In November 2023, Kiko introduced his determination to “lengthen” his absence from MEGADETH‘s touring actions, explaining that he did not wish to “hinder any of the band’s plans or the laborious work of all of the unbelievable folks concerned within the tour.”
Kiko revealed in September 2023 that he would sit out the subsequent leg of MEGADETH‘s “Crush The World” tour as a way to keep house along with his youngsters again in Finland.
At some point after Kiko‘s announcement that he was “extending” his absence from MEGADETH‘s touring actions, band chief Dave Mustaine launched an announcement during which he mentioned that he loves Loureiro and respects and totally helps Kiko‘s determination. He described Kiko as “a top-notch skilled, a maestro” and thanked the guitarist “for his dedication and laborious work these previous 9 years, serving to us to realize a Grammy on ‘Dystopia’ and the extra awards we now have acquired on this newest report ‘The Sick… The Dying…And The Lifeless’.” Mustaine added: “I couldn’t have accomplished this with out Kiko Loureiro.”
MEGADETH performed its first live performance with Kiko‘s substitute, Teemu Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Experience Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The 37-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and started enjoying guitar on the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has additionally been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.
Loureiro formally joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about 5 months after Chris Broderick‘s exit from the group.