Originally Posted by: chucklivesoninmyheartI'd wager good money that alexi could put petrucci to shame in some aspects like classical runs and 'trem-trickery'.

i bet you petrucci will put laiho on his ass.. I love laiho's style and playing but what was petrucci doing when Alexi was self teaching with videos about arppegios at home???Jon was in Berkley earning his degree in music along with portnoy and rudass,sherinian,Myung, and Labrie.Berkley is the best music college in america. I hate to say it but listen to Dream Theaters Instrumedley on their "Live in Budokan" Album...if you can plan and play all of that with a more experienced band and to concetrate that much to where it's like heaven and playing that is easy for him....It puts Laiho to shame..i even think that one day I'll be better than laiho...but yea right..no matter how many days i practice 6 hours a day....I'll never have that mentality...its all in your head on how well you really play..try it ....there is always someone better than you...but there is never another YOU out there...and that's how a guitar player should think...same with every other musician..

Marcus Le Doux