In a new interview with Ultimate Guitar, guitarist Chris Poland named his favorite guitarist who played with Megadeth.
He compared Kiko Loureiro and Marty Friedman and explained who he liked the most. “I like Marty [Friedman], what he brought to Megadeth. But I think Kiko was my favorite of everyone. I just liked the way he played probably better than anybody. But Marty would be a close second.”
Friedman left the band 24 years ago and since then has been focusing on his solo career and music. Kiko Loureiro had said he wanted Friedman to rejoin Megadeth after Loureiro left the band in late 2023.
“Actually, I even mentioned to management and Dave that I thought bringing Marty Friedman back would be amazing. I have no idea if they’re talking about it or talking to him, but I did say that. But again, I have no idea beyond that, and I don’t want to make anything more complicated,” the guitarist recalled.
However, Teemu Mäntysaari took his place. And it’s apparent that Friedman likes Loureiro more than Mäntysaari since he hasn’t listened to him with Megadeth ever since his inclusion. “I haven’t [listened to them with Mäntysaari, as a matter of fact, but I’m sure he’s doing a great job if he’s up there doing it,” Friedman told Ultimate Guitar.
“And I was able to meet him when I played with the band at Wacken [Open Air festival] and he seemed a very, very cool dude. And I wish him tons and tons of success with the band and it’s gonna be a big fun ride for him, I’m sure,” Friedman added.
Megadeth currently only has two scheduled dates — Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 13 in Manchester, and Tons Of Rock Festival on June 28 in Oslo, Norway.
