Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland recently shared his opinion on the best guitarists of the famous Thrash Metal outfit. In an interview given to Ultimate GuitarPoland surprised fans by naming Kiko Loureiro as his favorite, ahead of even the legendary Marty Friedman.
Kiko Loureiro: A style apart
Chris Poland explained: “I like what Marty [Friedman] brought to Megadeth. But I think Kiko [Loureiro] is my favorite. I just enjoy the way he plays, probably more than anyone else. Marty would be a close second.”
Kiko Loureiro, member of Megadeth from 2015 to 2023, made an impression with his virtuoso playing and his technical approach, which won over fans and members of the group. Loureiro had particularly impressed Marty Friedman himself, who praised his talent and his interpretation of emblematic titles like Tornado Of Souls.
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The Legacy of Marty Friedman and Chris Poland
Despite his admiration for Loureiro, Poland also praised Marty Friedman, who remains an essential figure from Megadeth’s golden age: “Marty’s solos are exceptional. He’s a genius musician with his own signature sound.”
Poland also spoke about the difficulty of reproducing certain solos live: “Some nights I would come across a solo I had recorded and play it like on the album. Dave [Mustaine] was so happy when it happened. But for me, it was often impossible to recreate the exact same solos, because I play in the moment.”
A look back at the impact of Chris Poland
Chris Poland played a key role in Megadeth’s early days, contributing to classic albums Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! et Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?. His hybrid technique and innovative approach marked the band’s beginnings and influenced subsequent generations of guitarists who joined Megadeth.
