I think that's 100% right. Look at LYHOM from 1995. He has that whole extra solo thing in the middle. He's still capable, one would think, but he's just not willing to do it.

And also, there hasn't been big solos on the past few albums. The last album where I would say he regularly "shredded" would be Crush. He needs a challenge now. He needs something in a song to look forward to.