1.Fade to Black- Although very memorable and inspirational (for beginers)
it's just a well choreographed collection of simple natural minor playing, mixed with minor pentatonics. If you can play this note for note, as well as Hammett........so what.
Dimebag:
1.Cemetary Gates- Wow! I don't care who you are, but you have to admit
this is one kick a** solo! A pure case of virtuosoism and excellent writing. After the well written intro to the solo, he busts out into fiery chromatic scale with unique Vai like tapping and the rest is a combo of minor pentatonic
and blazing chromatics. Just as memorable as F2B outro, if not more so. If you can play this note for note, as well as Dimebag, you need to be making records.
Winner: Cemetary Gates
SOLO 2
Kirk Hammett:
2. Shortest Straw (since you mentioned it)- Not exacty as popular as some other of Hammett's leads but from a musician's standpoint, this one may be his best. Oh yes , that's right, Hammett knows more theory than we thought.
Impressive trem work,(for Hammett) starts it off, then he uses more scalar modes in one solo than he did in his entire career(ie;dorian, jazz arpegios, major scales, etc.) In my opinion, his most impressive.
Dimebag:
2. Psycho Holiday- Yet another kick a** solo. This solo is not only well written, but probably Dime's most technically difficult lead. While it doesn't have the theory of the shortest straw solo(who cares), it's a long, long lead,
especially when you're trying to play through it yourself. It has everything from awkward tapping to wide finger stretches and you must be very accurate and very fast. If you're even the slightest bit splay fingered, forget it.
Winner:Psycho Holiday
Oh and as for riff writing between them, you can forget that too.
MY 2 cents :D