Good point about Bettencourt-he used to be one of my favorites in the Pornograffiti days -excellent sense of rhythm and timing -not to mention monster chops..

Alas ,lately he seems to have sold out to the grunge scene
in order to "fit in"-complete with black fingernails and idiot guitars -just like the rest,playing through a clean amp,chords only-no "politically incorrect" solos for him anymore..

What a sellout and a waste of sheer talent..

As for Tremonti,I suppose that was my whole point-he's the best the newer generation offers -he at least has a good sense of melody and has the balls to play through a dirty amp-for this alone I respect him in contrast to his weakling peers.

And I'm sorry ,but he smokes Kirk Hammett-Hammett is a complete joke-how much talent does it take to run around
stage and play stale wah pedal licks -ad infinitum?-

Metallica needs to reunite with Mustaine-he could get the job done the way it needs to be done and take them back to their roots away from the commercial BS they are playing now..