KIKO LOUREIRO

To be a musician in Brazil is about being constantly exposed to countless different musical styles and rhythms. To be a heavy metal musician in these shores means gathering such astounding influences in one's musicality. In a career that already spans more than 16 years, Kiko Loureiro's been using all musical sources available in his native country as enduring working tools. Such wide musical range plus accurate technique, feeling and guitar sovereignty is found in Kiko's first solo album, "No Gravity".

Kiko was born in Rio de Janeiro but has lived in São Paulo for years now. He's been in touch with the six strings since very early on when he started attending guitar classes along with his sister. Barely ten years after he began his studies he recorded an album with four other Brazilian fellows and conquered the world as a member of Angra, one of the most respected metal bands of today's music scene. Thirteen years have passed and Kiko played in every corner of the planet since then.

He's frequently voted as one of the most talented guitar players worldwide in magazines from France, Japan, Italy, Brazil, etc. Kiko shows all his versatility and musical expertise in "No Gravity". All the album's thirteen tracks were recorded in Germany. Recording sessions took place after Angra finished the works on his most recent album, "Temple Of Shadows", and were held at the famous House Of Audio Studios. Overall, the sessions lasted three weeks. "No Gravity" also relies on the talents of producer Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra) and drummer Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Macalpine, Rage, Axel Rudi Pell). Kiko not only proves he's a guitar virtuoso, but that he's definitely a complete musician by also handling percussion, keyboards, piano, bass and acoustic guitars in the album.

Nevertheless, Kiko is much more than a mere guitar hero. He's currently taking piano classes and is truly a person that breathes music as he is never too far away from his guitar. He can be often seen jamming with other musicians in the charming jazz pubs of São Paulo. The idea of putting out a solo album's been in his head for a long time, but Angra's endless touring schedule and recording commitments had never allowed him to fully concentrate on such task. As soon as the opportunity arose, though, Kiko locked himself in the German studio with Mike and Dennis and came out with an impeccable instrumental CD. "No Gravity" shows the wide approach Kiko uses to build his musical foundations. His deep knowledge of rock'n'roll, heavy metal and jazz music can be noticed in all the solos, riffs and melodies pertaining to the album. Yes, this is a rock record, but there's plenty of local traditional Latin rhythms executed with aggression, fury and utmost passion. This is all about a musician that's renowned for the accurate and harmonious creation of his tunes and themes. All of this could only result in an instrumental album that's an absolute pleasure to listen to.

After all, "No Gravity" is Kiko Loureiro's talents amplified by all his astonishing influences.

Discography: :
No Gravity CD 18.03.2005