Megadeth starts their string of North American dates tomorrow and they'll be without guitarist Kiko Loureiro. According to a statement, Loureiro will be sitting out the tour dates due to family matters, and will be replaced by Teemu Mäntysaari of Wintersun.
“Droogies! Kiko has had something come up in his family life that requires him to miss this next leg of our Crush The World tour. I'll let him explain…
"Kiko checking in here!
"Our new record The Sick, The Dying, and The Dead and our Crush The World tour have been great. The worldwide chart positions have been our best yet! We want to really thank you for that.
"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.'
"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 band mates and all of our fans around the world, see you all very soon, back out on the Killing Road! We will not be cancelling the tour, and we'll introduce you to Teemu on September 6th in Albuquerque. New Mexico, at the Revel Arena. We are asking for your support and understanding at this time."
Get the list of Teemu-deth dates below and get your tickets here.
Megadeth only
9/6 Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center
9/7 Window Rock, AZ – Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena
9/9 Alton, VA – Virginia International Raceway
w/ Biohazard
9/15 Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course (w/ Ill Niño)
9/16 Mashantucket, CT – Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resorts Casino
9/17 Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena (w/ Ill Niño)
9/21 Windsor, ON – The Colosseum
9/23 Plymouth, IN – Plymouth Motor Speedway
9/27 Bloomington, IL – Grossinger Motors Arena (w/ Ill Niño)
9/29 Fargo, ND – Scheels Arena
9/30 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
10/3 Pocatello, ID – Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre
10/5 Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
Megadeth only
10/6 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
