Our 15 favourite metal and heavy rock guitar moments of 2023: featuring Wolfgang Van Halen, Nita Strauss, Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Gilbert, Metallica, Periphery and more Including the guitar solo of the year MusicRadar · Dec 21, 2023
“At its best, the solo can tell a story, give us a sense of spectacle, and even offer a window into a player’s soul”: These are the best guitar solos of 2023 Guitar World staff and readers choose the outstanding lead efforts of the year – including “this decades's Eruption” Guitar World · Dec 20, 2023
Jason Becker hailed his “stunning technique and explosive guitar tone” – now Jien Takahashi is building a unique brand of shred shaped by Ritchie Blackmore, Morbid Angel and a quest to prove “a guitar solo can be as persuasive as a singer's voice” The rising Japanese virtuoso has an undying love for the shred heroics of Becker and Marty Friedman, but also uses his Ibanez, PRS and occasionally his $50 Legend Strat copy to traverse much wider melodic ground Guitar World · Dec 5, 2023
“Being in a band is so much more than the playing. Actually, the playing is down on the list”: Before Megadeth, Marty Friedman says he auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne – but “failed miserably” Shortly before he became Megadeth's lead guitar player, Friedman took part in an ill-fated Osbourne audition – here's why it didn't work out, according to the man himself Guitar World · Nov 28, 2023
"They smelled like L.A. and I smelled like San Francisco": Former Megadeth guitar hero Marty Friedman explains why he "failed miserably" auditioning for Ozzy Osbourne in the '80s In a parallel universe, life could have been very different for '90s Megadeth and late '80s Ozzy Metal Hammer · Nov 27, 2023
“I would like to thank Kiko for his dedication and hard work these past nine years”: Kiko Loureiro leaves Megadeth, Dave Mustaine confirms Teemu Mäntysaari as replacement Kiko Loureiro stepped down temporarily for family reasons in September and now to remain on “extended leave of absence” as Megadeth scheduled to spend most of 2024 on the road MusicRadar · Nov 21, 2023
“Kiko is a top-notch professional, a maestro – and he did not want to hurt me or Megadeth”: Dave Mustaine pays tribute to outgoing guitarist Kiko Loureiro – and names his successor Megadeth's main man put to bed speculation surrounding Loureiro's replacement, and named the guitarist who would help carry the band into 2024 Guitar World · Nov 21, 2023
“I don’t want to hinder any of the band’s plans”: Kiko Loureiro announces his departure from Megadeth after 9 years – and his successor may already be in place Is Teemu Mäntysaari, the young star currently filling in for Loureiro, set to take the mantle full-time? Or is a past player poised to make a sensational return? Guitar World · Nov 20, 2023
“The Kings and Kings solo by Brad Whitford is one of the finest in rock history”: Brian May, Marty Friedman, Nita Strauss and 37 other legendary guitarists share their favorite Aerosmith guitar moments An all-star cast of guitar greats pay tribute to a great American rock ’n’ roll institution Guitar World · Nov 14, 2023
“Guys like Andy Timmons told me my playing is a part of his musical DNA. Marty Friedman and Paul Gilbert told me the same thing”: Angel's Punky Meadows on the return of a cult guitar hero With the classic rock institution's second act revival shows no sign of slowing, guitarist Punky Meadows checks in to talk soloing, the blues, and the physical need to play the guitar Guitar World · Aug 21, 2023
Watch Marty Friedman, Kiko Loureiro and Dave Mustaine rehearse for one of the summer’s biggest festival sets in new Megadeth behind-the-scenes footage See the ensemble run through sections of their four-song setlist – complete with an up-close view of Friedman's absurd solo powers Guitar World · Aug 16, 2023
Marty Friedman revisits his thrash heyday once again for ferocious four-song guest spot with Megadeth The Wacken Open Air festival played host to the legendary shredder's second 2023 reunion with the metal icons Guitar World · Aug 7, 2023
Watch Marty Friedman nail the greatest solo in thrash metal history as he plays Tornado Of Souls with Megadeth at Wacken Fan-shot footage offers a pit's eye view of a historic moment as Friedman rejoins Megadeth for a live cameo and blazes through his ripping lead from the Rust In Peace classic MusicRadar · Aug 7, 2023
“Marty Friedman taught me to pick phrases that help tell the story. Resist the temptation to use your songs to show off your fastest licks”: Nita Strauss on how she stepped up her game for The Call of the Void Nita Strauss can shred with the best of them, but her new solo album features ‘radio songs’ with guest-star vocalists – plus a showdown with mentor Marty Friedman Guitar World · Jul 31, 2023
MusicRadar · Jul 14, 2023 Shred a dirty word? Nita Strauss says it’s a compliment: “I like it. Give me the shred term all day long” Hurricane Nita says live and let shred – if you want to go over the top and split the fretboard atom, don't let anyone stop you
MusicRadar · Jun 6, 2023 Nita Strauss steps in the ring and delivers a knockout guitar solo in heavyweight new single Victorious Victorious features Dorothy Martin on vocals, a blaze of pick tapping, and is the latest track to be shared from Hurricane Nita’s forthcoming studio album
Guitar World · May 15, 2023 Nita Strauss announces The Call of the Void – a star-studded new solo album featuring Lzzy Hale, Marty Friedman and Alice Cooper Listen to new single The Golden Trail, which sees Strauss team up with In Flames vocalist Anders Fridén for a full-throttle riff clinic
MusicRadar · Apr 20, 2023 Marty Friedman has an interesting theory about why distorted guitars feature in far more top 20 songs in Japan than the US "Japanese people are able to accept the distorted sound of a guitar at any age" believes the former Megadeth guitarist
Guitar World · Mar 21, 2023 Dave Mustaine: “I’m a very advanced rhythm guitarist who can play complicated rhythms and sing over the top of them – most people can’t do that” The Megadeth main man discusses his forthcoming signature “Gibson Les Paul for thrash guys”, why Kiko Loureiro is the band’s best-ever guitarist, and succeeding even though “Metallica has always tried to hold me back”