Megadeth aren’t any strangers to a line-up change. Since 1983, the thrash steel outfit has welcomed in a revolving door of musicians.

The band’s newest addition, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, joined final September. Following Kiko Loureiro’s choice to step away from the band because of household causes, Mäntysaari took on the position of lead guitarist – and he’s been doing an incredible job, in response to Dave Mustaine.

Throughout a Loudwire Nights podcast episode, Mustaine expresses his gratitude over Megadeth’s present line-up, and says how, in his eyes, it’s the strongest Megadeth has felt in years. “We’re a band once more,” the frontman insists [via Blabbermouth]. “It doesn’t really feel like me and a few facet gamers or session guys… I really feel like Kiko did us a very large courtesy by serving to us discover Teemu.”

“It was a fair nearer connection between me and Teemu than Kiko and I had,” he goes on to confess.

In fact, that doesn’t reduce Loureiro’s affect throughout his nine-year stint in Megadeth. “[Kiko and I] will all the time be mates,” the frontman emphasises. “However this new relationship… it harkens me again to the times after we had Marty Friedman, and the 4 of us truly felt like a band.”

Taking over the position of lead guitarist in Megadeth was no straightforward feat, however Mäntysaari has rapidly confirmed his value. Beforehand enjoying in Wintersun and Smackbound, the Finnish guitarist had a plethora of expertise to carry to the desk.

Chatting with Guitar World earlier this yr, he admitted that he “by no means thought one thing like this” would occur to him “however on the identical time, [he] all the time felt like being ready was essential in case a giant band like this did name [him].”

“I’ve a selected skillset the place I can study quick, soar into new conditions, and be snug,” he defined. “I’ve all the time preferred doing that. I like instructing, and I’ve been on many canopy initiatives, so being detail-oriented is a part of my skillset.”

Chatting with Chaoszine in June, the brand new lead guitarist delved additional into his new position. “I do wanna respect the songs… I attempt to play them as unique as I can with my very own little nuances,” he defined.

When requested which of his predecessors he struggles to emulate probably the most, he admits Jeff Younger and Chris Poland’s riffs are his hardest challenges. “Chris Poland has a fairly particular fashion together with his particular intonation, very particular vibrato and the whammy-bar use,” he mentioned. “In order that’s most likely extra out of my consolation zone, nevertheless it has additionally been very good to have the ability to then study a few of these issues.”

Mustaine has additionally praised Mäntysaari in dialog with YouTuber Kyle Meredith. “He’s such an incredible expertise,” he asserted. “And so far as being a human is anxious, he’s a very humble man. He’s enjoyable to be round.”

Whereas Loureiro’s departure was initially bought as a brief go away of absence, Mustaine’s phrases on Loudwire Nights appear to counsel that the departure is everlasting. “I assumed I used to be gonna end my profession out with Kiko,” he says. “[But] he couldn’t tour anymore as a result of he wanted to be house for his youngsters.”