Megadeth played their first show with fill-in guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari at their tour kickoff in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Wednesday (Sept. 6), just one day after the Dave Mustaine-led metal band revealed Mäntysaari would take the place of regular Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro as Loureiro tends to a family matter.
Mäntysaari, a Finnish guitarist best known for playing with the bands Wintersun and Smackbound, was selected for the position by Loureiro himself, as Megadeth explained in a statement this week.
See fan-captured footage from the show below.
READ MORE: Megadeth Guitarist Kiko Loureiro Pulls Out of Tour, Fill-In Member Announced
In Megadeth’s statement Tuesday (Sept. 5), Loureiro said, “I have something that is difficult to share, but we always like to keep you informed with the truth. I have to leave the tour for now, to be home with my children, and to help them face the difficult challenges that arise from us being ‘dads that work away from home.'”
He added, “I found a guitarist, Teemu Mäntysaari, to fill in for me during the fall, and I think you’ll be very happy. He’s an amazing, incredible player. I have shared this with my partner in shred, Dave Mustaine, and to no surprise, he said, ‘Go! Go be there for your family and keep us posted!’ To my bandmates and all of our fans around the world, see you all very soon, back out on the Killing road!”
Mustaine concluded the statement by assuring Megadeth fans the tour would not be canceled. He asked for fans’ support and understanding as they move forward. See upcoming Megadeth dates under the videos.
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Megadeth Play First Show With Fill-In Guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari – Sept. 6, 2023
Megadeth 2023 North American Tour Dates
Sept. 9 – Alton, Va. @ Blue Ridge Rock FestSept. 15 – Grantville, Pa. @ Hollywood CasinoSept. 16 – Ledyard, Ct. @ Premier TheaterSept. 17 – Atlantic City, N.J. @ Hard RockSept. 21 – Windsor, Ontario @ ColosseumSept. 22 – Louisville, Ky. @ Louder Than LifeSept. 23 – Plymouth, Ill. @ Motor SpeedwaySept. 27 – Bloomington, Ill. @ Grossinger ArenaSept. 29 – Fargo, N.D. @ Scheels ArenaSept. 30 – Prior Lake, Minn. @ Mystic LakeOct. 3 – Pocatello, Idaho @ Portneuf Amp.Oct. 5 – Reno, Nev. @ Grand SierraOct. 6 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Aftershock
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