For me that heavier, metal-ish edge in prog rock without going full metal is what makes TNMB so special. Eric is a big part of why I deem TNMB one of the best bands out there right now, both studiowise and live. Mike often also has that metal energy to his playing. It is also part of why to me there is a significant distinction between NM solo and TNMB.
Agreed. I also think musicians are always far more diverse than many realize. The idea that Eric is a prog metal guitarist playing in the wrong kind of band implies that he would only be a good fit in a prog metal band, and I highly disagree with that. I am sure most thought of Portnoy as more of a metal drummer than anything in the earlier DT days, but I think time has shown that he is a better rock drummer than a metal one. He is a good metal drummer. He is a fantastic rock drummer.
I don't disagree with this at all! I just think that he gets too much into "shredder mode" when it comes to his solos, and those moments are fantastic on their own, but in context of Neal's/NMB's music they sound a bit out of place.
I think he occasionally veers into "shredder mode" a bit too much, but I can also say the same thing about Petrucci, but by and large, I think Eric's playing is a big part of what makes NMB a different entity from not just Neal's solo career, but all of his other bands.