Originally posted by chris mood
"technique more important then musicallity"

I feel the same way towards neo-classical shredders like Yngvie, Kotz, Vai, etc..They only one's I ever found that did anything interesting were Satrianni and Johnson.

Progressive rock may be a bit contrived, but it demanded something from its listeners, which I liked. Plus it produced some great musicians such as Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, and Bill Bruford.

I can't fault the musicianship of the any of the players from groups like Genesis, Yes, ELP etc. All pretty much virtuosos some of which have gone on to do some good stuff e.g. Bill Bruford's Earthworks and Steve Howe's 'Masterpiece Guitars' with Martin Taylor. For me, most proggy groups happened to be less than the sum of their parts. I agree with what you say re: Malmsteen. Cant stand his stuff although he is technically gifted. Not sure I'd count Steve Vai, Eric J or Satch as neo-classical shredders although they do like the old legato phrasings.