Watch Megadeth soundcheck with new Finnish guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari

Reggie Almeida, Professor of the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School in Spring Hill, Tennessee, who has been travelling with Megadeth recently has uploaded a video of the band’s soundcheck for tonight’s (September 6) concert at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The concert marks Megadeth‘s first gig with Finnish touring guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound), who is filling in for the band’s longtime axeman Kiko Loureiro.

Earlier this week, Loureiro announced that he is going to sit out the next leg of the band’s tour in order to be present for his children at his home in Finland.

He released the following statement:

“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 bandmates and all of our fans around the world, see you all very soon, back out on the Killing Road!”

Teemu Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and took up the guitar at age 12. In 2004, he joined the band Wintersun and has been a member of Smackbound since 2015.