Kiko Loureiro

Pedro Henrique 'Kiko' Loureiro

“Kiko”

Kiko Loureiro is one of the most acclaimed guitarists in the melodic metal scene, and his integration into Megadeth in 2015 brought a new international dimension to the group. Born in 1972 in Rio de Janeiro, Kiko co-founded Angra, the iconic Brazilian progressive metal band, at age 19. With Angra, he achieved global recognition in the '90s, known for his virtuosic technique and for incorporating classical and Brazilian elements into his solos. After more than two decades and iconic albums with Angra, Kiko accepted the challenge to join Megadeth when Dave Mustaine invited him to audition after Chris Broderick's departure. In 2015, he was officially announced as Megadeth's lead guitarist, becoming the first South American member in the band's history. On the album 'Dystopia' (2016), Loureiro made an immediate impact: he co-wrote complex riffs with Mustaine and contributed top-tier solos on tracks like 'Fatal Illusion' and the Grammy-nominated instrumental 'Conquer or Die!'. His style blends thrash ferocity with melodic sensibility and theoretical knowledge, creating memorable phrases (for example, the solo on 'Poisonous Shadows' evokes classical guitar). 'Dystopia' was acclaimed and won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance, reflecting the creative chemistry between Mustaine and Loureiro. On tour, Kiko proved to be a complete showman: he mastered solos from all Megadeth eras and enjoyed improvising, sometimes inserting melodies from his native Brazil into live jams. During the pandemic, he participated in the composition and recording of 'The Sick, The Dying... and The Dead!' (2022). However, in 2023 Loureiro announced he was stepping away from touring for family reasons, and soon after Mustaine confirmed Kiko was on indefinite hiatus, with Teemu Mäntysaari stepping in as his replacement. Finally, in November 2023, Kiko formally announced his departure from Megadeth. In his message, he left the door open for future collaborations, highlighting the immense learning alongside Mustaine. Meanwhile, Kiko has never neglected his educational side: he offers popular online courses and runs a YouTube channel where he shares tips with millions of followers. Outside Megadeth, Loureiro is a multi-instrumentalist (recording keyboard and Latin rhythm parts on his solo albums) and has collaborated with diverse artists, from Tarja Turunen to Brazilian jazz legends. His time in Megadeth proved that a musician trained in power metal could fit perfectly into a thrash giant, enriching its sound. Fans worldwide praised his humility, charisma (always smiling on stage), and dedication – he learned English perfectly to better communicate with the band and audience. Kiko Loureiro closes his Megadeth chapter having left an indelible mark: thanks to him, the band experienced a creative renaissance and reached a new generation of guitarists who see Kiko as a role model, an artist who transcended borders to succeed on the global metal stage.