Eh...some people are still wowed with a finger show.
Petrucci isnt so much a shredder as he is just fast in his left hand.I dont hear him trem picking all the time.So what makes a shredder?Playing fast or trem picking while playing fast?

I think alot of the "melodic" solo's bands churn out now are insanley boring.There slow(so they MUST be "melodic")but they never create a melody that hits you deep.Listen to "lip gloss and black" from Atreyu or "another day in quiksand" by In Flames.Some real good melodic solo's that have great melody and arnt just "slow for the sake of being melodic".The very word is in direct relation to music.Tool songs and solo's are NOT melodic...there slow..but theres no real melody.Boring,flat,emotionless,1 string strumming.I would much rather a nice soulfull shredding piece.

I think everyones caught up on speed...but forgeting that what notes comprise the solo "make" the solo.You can play boring,emotionless solo's at any speed.