Former Megadeth guitarist, Marty Friedman, released his Dreaming Japanese autobiography on December 3rd. According to Friedman, "you will enjoy the deepest dive into never before revealed details about my life in Megadeth and the personal relationships within the band written with alarming clarity. Same goes for all of my other bands, from the very beginning."

In one chapter, Friedman looks back on the 2015 discussion with Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson about reuniting the band's iconiv Rust In Peace line-up, which also would have included drummer Nick Menza. Friedman refused due to then-manager Ron Lafitte's underwhelming financial offer.

Friedman: "Let's just say he wasn't even in the ballpark. Hell, he wasn't even in the parking lot for the ballpark. The amount they offered was right around the first salary I got when I joined Megadeth in 1990. If I'd had any idea they would lowball me like this, I never would have met with them in Anaheim. Had I taken that offer, I would have been paid less in a week than I made in a normal day in Japan. I was stunned and angry and told them I couldn't even consider it. I made a counteroffer, which was the bare minimum I could accept, and far less than I have received from any of the artists I've toured with in Japan."

"I was willing to take the financial hit because a reunion tour with Megadeth opening for Iron Maiden could open doors for me again in America. And what followed could be a bigger tour than anything we had previously done. Even if they met my rate, the tour would have been a huge windfall for them. They easily could have agreed to that, and the reunion would have been on, but they said I wanted too much money."

"I was happy with my career in Japan, doing what I loved, making real money without the kind of drama that comes with Megadeth. They didn't even acknowledge they had just lost their guitarist and drummer and needed me more than I needed them. When I got over my initial anger, I was puzzled and sad."

Order Dreaming Japanese here.

Former Megadeth guitarist, Kiko Loureiro, has announced a string of Brazilian tour dates in support of his new album, Theory Of Mind. Joining Loureiro for the "Theory Of The Mind Tour 2025" is special guest, former Megadeth axeman, Marty Friedman.

Says Kiko: "Big news, Brazil! I’m hitting the road with my amazing friend and guitar legend, Marty Friedman as a special guest! The Theory Of Mind tour is going to be something you’ve never seen before."

Brazil tour dates:

May
30 - Recife/PE - Clube Internacional
31 - Fortaleza/CE - Armazém

June
1 - Belém/PA - Music Park
4 - Belo Horizonte/MG - Mister Rock
6 - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Sacadura 154
7 - São Paulo/SP - Tokio Marine Hall
8 - Curitiba/PR - Ópera de Arame

Theory Of Mind features Kiko Loureiro (guitars and keyboards), Felipe Andreoli (bass), Bruno Valverde (drums) and Maria Ilmoniemi (keyboards). Go to this location to purchase.

Tracklist:

"Borderliner"
"Out Of Nothing"
"Mind Rise"
"Talking Dreams"
"Blindfolded"
"Point Of No Return"
"Raveled"
"Lost In Seconds"
"The Other Side Of Fear"
"The Barefoot Queen"
"Finitude"

"Talking Dreams":

"Mind Rise":

"Point Of No Return" video: