I was really saying that the current rock/metal scene needs an overhaul, I've lost count of the number of bands I listen to expectatly only to be disappointed, I also feel that you dont HAVE to have a solo at all, just dont write them off as so many people do. I wish that there was some complexity in the music modern rock bands write, instead of the aforementioned drop D riffing, around 3 chords.
I got into rock and metal, after hearing metallica and slayer, those bands were an inspiration to me, so I picked up the guitar with the goal of playing skillfully. Nowadays what inspiration is there for the modern player? I look at the 'tricks by artist' section, and there are a great deal of players who were big in the 80's but have just vanished, van halen, malmsteen, steve vai. Those guys are an inspiration to pick up an instrument and master it.
I'm glad that kids are still getting into shred, but it's a shame that there are no modern popular acts encouraging virtuosity
and about your guitarist comment, my wife is often known to comment that she misses the days when they made their guitars sing, she's no guitarist!
Also it's not just leads and solos, I just feel there is little quality playing around, you can be a good player and not play leads, bands like Candiria show that, you need a good deal of skill to play that music, and it's not full of widdly widdly stuff. There are a few bands with some ability, incubus and vision of disorder spring to mind, but there arent ENOUGH!
guns dont kill people, people kill people, and monkeys do too (if they've got a gun)