‘It’s Been an Amazing Ride’: Teemu Mäntysaari Reflects on His First Year with Megadeth
The guys from Megadeth will swing by Pine Knob on their Destroy All Enemies tour on September 21st. Tickets are still available and you can get them here. Plus, it’s your chance to win them here.
Listen To The Interview With Teemu Of Megadeth Below
Teemu Mäntysaari of Megadeth
Meltdown: Hey, Teemu! How are you doing?
Teemu Mäntysaari: Doing great! Sorry for keeping you waiting. We just arrived at the venue.
Meltdown: No worries at all. I was just sitting here in Detroit, getting ready for Megadeth next week. By the way, today’s Dave Mustaine’s birthday—did you get him anything?
Teemu Mäntysaari: We gave him hugs on the bus. Last year, I actually did a guitar shred version of “Happy Birthday” for him and sent it as a video. I’ve got to come up with something cool today too!
Meltdown: You’ve been with Megadeth for just over a year now. What’s it been like these past 12 months?
Teemu Mäntysaari: It’s been amazing—like a dream, honestly. It feels like just yesterday I joined, but it’s already been a year. We’ve toured all around the world, and I’ve always loved touring. Now, being able to do it with these guys is a great experience.
Meltdown: I was thinking about this—Megadeth’s first records came out before you were even born, right?
Teemu Mäntysaari: Yeah, way before. I was born in 1987!
Meltdown: How has your life changed over the past year?
Teemu Mäntysaari: It’s gotten pretty busy, but in a good way. We’re on the road a lot, usually in cycles—four weeks on, four weeks off—which is great. It gives me time to hang out with family and friends when I’m home. Touring is comfortable too; we have a fantastic crew, and the shows have been incredible. I couldn’t ask for more.
Meltdown: So, where’s home for you when you’re not on tour?
Teemu Mäntysaari: I’m based in Zurich, Switzerland. I’m originally from Finland, but I’ve been living in Zurich for the past few years.
Meltdown: How did you first get the call to join Megadeth? Was it from Dave?
Teemu Mäntysaari: Actually, Kiko [Loureiro] reached out to me. He mentioned he might need to step away from the band to spend more time with family. It wasn’t certain at first, but I prepared by sending audition videos just in case. A few weeks later, it became clear they needed me, and I got my visa just a week before the tour started!
Meltdown: Do you remember the first time you jammed with the band and met Dave?
Teemu Mäntysaari: I do! My first phone call with Dave was nerve-wracking, but he was very welcoming. A couple of weeks later, we met in person at a festival in Germany. We had breakfast together, and I met the crew. Later that day, we played together backstage—it was an unforgettable experience.
Meltdown: What’s it like performing Megadeth’s legendary tracks, like “Hangar 18”?
Teemu Mäntysaari: There are staples in the setlist that we have to play, like “Hangar 18,” but we mix it up as well. We have about 35 songs in rotation, and each night we perform 17 or 18 of them. We switch up a few songs every show to keep things fresh for us and the fans. We’ve even brought back some deep cuts and introduced new songs, which has been a lot of fun.
Meltdown: What’s something you’ve learned from Dave that you’ll carry with you for life?
Teemu Mäntysaari: So much! Dave’s work ethic is inspiring—his passion for pushing the band forward, even after 40 years, is incredible. I’ve learned not just about playing guitar but about the business side, like production and stage design. There’s always something new to learn from him every day.
Meltdown: As for new music, are you guys working on anything?
Teemu Mäntysaari: Yes! Dave has mentioned starting work on the next album. I’ve been putting down riff ideas for a while now. Dave likes to have everyone contribute, and then we’ll get together to see what works. I’m really excited to see how my ideas fit into the mix.
Meltdown: That’s awesome. Last thing—being from Finland, are you a hockey fan like Dave?
Teemu Mäntysaari: Absolutely! I used to play hockey as a kid, and I still love it. I play whenever I get the chance. Hockey was almost my career before I got into guitar!
Meltdown: That’s great! Well, thanks for your time, Teemu. We’re looking forward to seeing you guys crush it at Pine Knob. Congratulations on your one-year anniversary with the band, and be sure to tell Dave that Meltdown from Detroit says happy birthday!
Teemu Mäntysaari: Thank you so much! Will do.
Flashback to Megadeth Rocking Detroit in 2016
