Ex-MEGADETH guitarist KIKO LOUREIRO shares playthrough video for his latest solo single “Mind Rise”

Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureirobest known for his work with MEGADETH And ANGRAshared a playthrough video for his latest solo single, “Ascension of the Spirit”. You can check it out below.

Kiko explains: “After years of playing huge arenas and headlining festivals, there’s something refreshing about focusing on what’s important. The new song follows on from that by focusing on catchy, straightforward guitar riffs and using a deeper, deeper pentatonic scale.” In my head the verse goes: Carlos Santana hits Jeff Beckwith winding, curved lines where slight variations when playing the same note have a major impact on the theme. As the saying goes, “The devil is in the details,” and here, those details define the entire atmosphere of the track.”

He continues: “The song begins in E minor, one of the most commonly used keys in rock guitar. But just as it feels familiar, it switches to G major, its relative key, elevating the title and creating a sense of grandeur.” The dynamic between these two brings energy and captures the listener's attention without closing the composition complicate. In this way, the song does not rely solely on a traditional chorus, but instead uses a strong, recurring guitar riff for tension. The kind that lingers in the air like a shadow in the corner of a smoky bar where a figure waits, watching, calculating the perfect moment to strike. That's when the Neapolitan chord starts mixing to build tension. The anticipation of the solo creeps in with echoes of the main melody, but this time under the command of a different chord progression, but as with any musical story, repetition is the common thread that ties it all together and choir-like sections repeat, underlining that music is not must be overly complicated. Sometimes it's the simple thing – like a direct riff – that leaves the strongest impression.

“Listen carefully and you will hear. Let me know what you feel when you hear the song.”

beginning of September, Kiko released another new solo single, “Out of nowhere”. He said of the track at the time: “My new single.” “Out of nowhere” arises not from a plan, but from the mystery of creation itself. When I compose, I don't think or theorize – I let my hands slide over the fretboard as if they already know the way, discovering ways, rejecting others, always looking for the feeling that will satisfy me even for a moment.

““Out of nowhere” begins with a bold tritone interval – “Diabolus In Musica”, that infamous interval known for its tension. It's a simple, direct statement that immediately changes keys, building a dynamic riff that alternates between A and D with their tritones. The intensity increases with sixteenth notes that bring the track into high gear.

“The verse is simple, almost baroque in its harmony. A tonic and dominant, Am to E7, arpeggiated with hybrid picking over the rhythm of Baião, a syncopation from northeast Brazil. The original music from this area also contains many arpeggio themes from European heritage. And then come the chromatic lines, which challenge this basic rhythm and introduce the middle progression – Am to Fm –.
For the chorus, I take it a step further, going to the fifth level and playing with the tension between E major and minor, as I didn't feel like the chorus should be completely upbeat and uplifting.

“In the middle of the song I let the existing elements repeat, develop and transform, as one would in a symphony or a sonata. The arpeggios return, expanding the baroque spirit, and then nylon strings unexpectedly ring out from a Soon the tritone chord progression returns, albeit with more complex lines and a mix of techniques.

“But I won’t leave you lost. The verse and chorus return, as familiar as old friends. Because even though I take you far with me in this song, I make sure never to completely lose you.”

In November 2023, Kiko announced his decision to “extend” his absence. MEGADETH's touring activities, stating that he “didn't want to interfere with any of the band's plans or the hard work of all the incredible people involved in the tour.”

Kiko announced in September 2023 that he would sit out the next round MEGADETH'S “Destroy the world” Tour to stay home with his children in Finland.

A day later Kiko's announcement that he would be “extending” his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities, bandleader Dave Mustaine released a statement saying he loves Loureiro and fully respects and supports Kiko's decision. He described Kiko as “a first-class professional, a maestro” and thanked the guitarist “for his dedication and hard work over the last nine years that have helped us achieve one.” grammy To “dystopia” and the additional awards we received for this latest album “The sick…the dying…and the dead.”.” Mustaine added: “I couldn’t have done it without it Kiko Loureiro.”

MEGADETH played his first concert Kiko's replacement, Teemu Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 37 year old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and started playing guitar at the age of 12. He joined the band in 2004 WINTER SUN. He was also a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months later Chris Broderick's departure from the group.

In a recent interview with Japan's Young Guitar, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro was asked about the possibility of a future guest appearance ANGRA. He replied: “In the last two albums of ANGRASince I wasn't in the band, I recorded a guest solo. I've been touring a lot and have small children, so I didn't want to travel to do a guest appearance anymore. It could be in the future. I'm friends with everyone. I have a great story with ANGRA. The same also applies to MEGADETH. I'm still friends with everyone and don't want to burn any bridges.

He continued, “I'm proud of all the albums I've recorded.” ANGRA. I'm proud of the albums I've recorded MEGADETHthe two albums I recorded with MEGADETHall the concerts and tours we did together. So, guest appearances, recording a solo, helping out in some way or just hanging out, I like doing it because I like all these people as friends and family, because I've shared so many great moments of my life with the guys from ANGRAOf course, many, many years and almost nine years MEGADETH as well as.”