Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro (Angra) has officially joined Megadeth.

Band leader Dave Mustaine states: “I first met Kiko around 8 years ago for a cover shoot for Burrn! magazine. I had no idea who he was, other than the fact he was tremendously talented and that the staff from Burrn! held him in high regard. Since then I've come to see what a guitar virtuoso he is, and I'm deeply encouraged by his depth and talent. Very few Megadeth alumni have had the same feel and ability as Kiko. As Frank Sinatra says, "the best is yet to come!"

As the buzz continues to grow around the Megadeth camp with the recent confirmation that Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler will guest on the band's next studio album, frontman/founder Dave Mustaine posted the following update via his official Twitter page:

 

 

Megadeth recently released the following official statement confirming the rumours that the band have been working with Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler, who will be guesting on their new studio album. Megadeth began recording their as yet untitled new album on March 17th in Nashville, TN. The band was left without a drummer and guitarist when Shawn Drover and Chris Broderick quit last year.

Dave Mustaine, the creative driving force behind original American metal and hard rock crossover giants Megadeth, and Chris Adler, drummer for the leaders of modern American heavy metal Lamb Of God, will join original bassist David Ellefson in the creation of Megadeth's anticipated forthcoming album. Adler will be appearing as a guest on the album and contributing his thundering, hard-hitting, and technically precise style and skill, adding new blood and drive into the mix while staying true to Megadeth's roots.

Dave Mustaine comments: "Chris is a tremendous talent, and an amazing person. He is going to bring a new level of excitement and energy to Megadeth that the fans are going to lose their minds over. I have nothing but respect for my previous drummers, but this is going to absolutely KILL! Back in 1989, Megadeth originally worked as a three piece — guitar, bass and drums — when we laid down the framework to our Grammy-nominated platinum album 'Rust In Peace'. I want to thank the other members of Lamb Of God for allowing this opportunity to take place for all of us in the metal community."

David Ellefson adds: "Chris has been an endearing friend to us in Megadeth for many years now, and he truly appreciates our music and its legacy. His drumming has forged such an innovative and ferocious path for metal music and I'm very proud that he is anchoring our rhythm section with us on this new album. I can clearly see a new dawn of 'utmost heaviness' unfolding in Megadeth's next chapter."

Chris Adler offers: "Megadeth was the game changer for me. Growing up, there was no other band that meant as much to my musical interest and direction. There is no doubt I would not be doing what I have been doing for the past three decades had I not stumbled across 'Killing Is My Business' and the bible of all metal, 'Peace Sells' in my formative years. About 10 years ago, Lamb Of God toured with Megadeth and I was able to share that story with Dave and David, and we have kept in touch ever since. When Dave called me a while ago and asked if I was interested in making a thrash metal album with him, I felt like I must've been on a hidden camera show. I was trying to play it cool, but I was speechless other than YES! Once I called my wife and my band guys to let everyone know, I had some time to really think about it and how I can best fit into this situation. I'm coming into this on fire. There is an incredible amount of respect, but the goal here is to make the very best thrash album we can — not just throw names in the CD booklet or be a yes man. Together, I believe we can do something very special! Get ready for a very exciting chapter in the Megadeth legacy."

Megadeth's follow-up to 2013's Super Collider is due out later this year via Mustaine's Tradecraft and Universal Music.