I know for a fact the reason I (and my best friend) don't like him is because he doesn't seem to "feel" his solos, as in emotionally. We have the opinion that, when you play a solo, you're playing it from your heart. It just seems like he plays the songs for speed and technical proficiency (which isn't always a bad thing) instead of for the emotion you can convey through the instrument itself. But that's just me.
Well then, that's a good reason then. I just always hear "OMFGZ HERMAN LI SUCKS LULZ." And never any reasoning. I respect your reason for not liking him, and to be honest, when he plays, it looks more like he's scoring points in a video game, and not feeling the music. Oh and Synester Gates, but I'm prejudiced, because I have a total crush on him
Sorry to anyone who thought I started this as a Herman Li-bashing thread. I just don't like him for the same reasons Will's given. As Tim said, I had actually started this thread to leave out people like Jimmy Page and Brian May. But oh well, what can you do? There's been some good ones given, especially Alexi Laiho, CoCa, Saosin and Synyster. I'm going to stick my neck out here and say Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu (Trivium). Yes, they're not the best, and yes The Crusade lyrically and vocally sucked balls, but I definitely think they've improved markedly guitar-wise. An older song: [YOUTUBE]GgBCV-BImWI[/YOUTUBE] Eight minute long instrumental: [YOUTUBE]-aG0VJ6lItI[/YOUTUBE]
That's my whole problem with him, really. I just like when you can tell that the guitarist really LOVES what he/she's doing, and that every bit of their heart and soul is going into what they're playing I'd like to add Kaki King to my list.
I'm surprised to see so few mentions of John Frusciante. [youtube]TzkMUeXLdeE[/youtube] He's one of the few guitarists I know of that truly lives in the music. He may not be up there technique-wise, but his work has so much feeling in it, he really is 'the visionary' out of the 'New Guitar Gods.'
I don't get why everyone hates Herman Li. Herman's solos aren't always about putting his heart or what not into he's solos they're about having some fun and playing as fast as you fucking can. But when he needs to do a slow solo or whatever he can do that too. If you did some research you'd realise that Dragonforce is not Herman Li. Herman Li only writes a small portion of Dragonforce's music. The first album was mainly Sam Totman actually, but more recently everyone writes a song. And they don't sound all the same if your into that sort of music. Anyway no other mentions for Paul Gilbert?
Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu (trivium) Josh Franklin and Marshal Dutton (Faktion) Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge) Danny Hartwell (Dry Cell) - I say this for the fact that when the album was released he was only 15. So he counts as the "new". He'd been playing guitar for 10 years, but gave it up when Dry Cell disbanded. I agree with most on the Herman Li topic. Not to bash. the fast solos all do sound the same. Ive listened to alot of their songs. From Soldiers of the wasteland to body breakdown. Hes fast, one of the fastest in the world probably. However his slow melodies are rather lame. And you can only listen to the same string screeching so many times before you want to change the music. That being said, i am seeing them at Mayhem fest. I hear they are pretty bad live. Herman apparently messes up alot live. However i can judge that for myself until i see them in august.
bolded for what i'm responding to: because they're always shitfaced be on the lookout for girls on trampolines =D
I'm one of the best new guitarists. No, I'd really like to say that one of the BEST NEW guitarists is Eduardo Cruz. Check him out, honestly.
I don't know how I could forget these guys, but: Jon Danais (Shadows Fall) [YOUTUBE]EXV1kSWXEZA[/YOUTUBE] Kris Norris (Darkest Hour) [YOUTUBE]GMf2d8N0GOY&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
Yes. Both great guitarists, particularly Teppei. ZACK MOONEYHAM! [YOUTUBE]PZbwwo4PsUI[/YOUTUBE] and youtube's greatest [YOUTUBE]QjA5faZF1A8[/YOUTUBE]
Coming in to throw my support to Matt Bellamy. The man is brilliant, plus that playing with a shoe thing was awesome. never seen that done before. I'll come back with a more complete list eventually.
Amott? Yeah, he's pretty damn good. I'd also like to add Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick (Parkway Drive).