Kiko Loureiro: Why I Left Megadeth
Kiko Loureiro spent almost nine years as the guitarist of Megadeth — touring the world, winning a Grammy with Dystopia, and writing over 15 songs with Dave Mustaine. Then he walked away.
In this conversation, recorded backstage during his European solo tour, Kiko talks openly about why he left Megadeth, what it was like having newborn twins while touring five months a year, and why freedom over his own schedule became non-negotiable.
We go deep into his creative process: how he collects musical ideas like a sketchbook, why he believes the ultimate goal of any guitarist is to create their own music, and what Dave Mustaine taught him about composing with focus. He also shares the story of the school that called a psychologist on him for writing about metal festivals, what he learned from having dinner with Allan Holdsworth, and how Brazilian music quietly shaped everything he does.
This isn't a gear talk. It's a conversation about life decisions, creativity, and what it costs to follow your own path.
🎸 Kiko Loureiro: @KikoLoureiro
Kiko's Guitar Academy: https://kikoloureiro.com/guitaracademy/
@Megadeth
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro: Meet Kiko Loureiro
0:43 - Touring Europe as a Solo Artist
1:40 - Why I Left Megadeth
2:38 - Having Twins While Touring the World
4:13 - Wanting Freedom Over Your Own Schedule
4:50 - The Struggle Every Musician Knows
5:31 - The Creative Mind Is Never Satisfied
7:42 - Turning Points in Life & Career
8:41 - Starting with Angra: The First Album
10:25 - Recording His First Solo Album
11:09 - Instrumental Music Is Like Abstract Art
11:49 - The School That Called a Psychologist
13:30 - Metal Shirts, Black Sabbath & Rock in Rio
15:18 - The First Guitar Teacher Who Changed Everything
17:34 - Discovering Metal in a Closed Country
19:20 - Hearing Yngwie for the First Time
20:17 - Discipline vs Talent: What Came First?
22:20 - Robert Fripp Exercises He Still Does Today
23:33 - The School With VHS Tapes & Guitar Magazines
25:22 - Wanting to Play vs Wanting to Be a Musician
28:14 - The Force of Wanting to Play
30:25 - Living in Finland as a Brazilian
32:30 - Teaching: More Than Just Guitar
35:00 - Dinner with Allan Holdsworth
37:22 - Brazilian Music: The Hidden Influence
39:25 - How Kiko Composes: The Full Process
42:31 - Overcoming the Fear of Releasing Your Music
44:40 - The Judge Hat: Do I Like It?
48:10 - What Dave Mustaine Taught Him About Composing
50:38 - Megadeth's Method: 50 Riffs Into 15 Songs
51:46 - Creativity vs Commercial Pressure
54:30 - Why Bands Are Worlds (And Solo Artists Are Free)
56:06 - Outro
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