^ What Whammy said... I think it's more pretentious to make assumptions about things without objective evidence, as if to make oneself seem an expert at analyzing musicians, their music or anything for that matter.
Tell me, what criteria make a piece of music pretentious?
I don't think demonstration of technical faculty in music is instantly pretentious... perhaps if it's happening all the time, in the absence of enjoyable songwriting (which is subjective to some extent), but in the case of Symphony X, I'd have to call them one of the few bands that actually do write interesting stuff, despite their ability to rip out >9000 nps solos. Michael Romeo backs off from the spotlight quite often in the music, which is more than I can say for average guitarists in countless average bands. They also have plenty of parts in their material that aren't particularly hard to play. Plenty of musicians have a technical skill ceiling above the material they play, so if they really were pretentious on the account of showing off, wouldn't they be keeping the frets on fire non-stop?
FWIW, I used to frequent the Symphony X forums on UM, and quite a few posters there have met with the members of Symphony X personally, and vouch for their down-to-earth humility and friendliness.
While I do realize this is classic (and to be expected) nihilist trollery, you're right that it is fun to inspire philosophical debate. :p
Though I understand you're safe from criticism in that you don't confess to play any musical instruments, I can't help but notice an almost perfect correlation between musos who complain/attack/whine about any trace of technicality in music, and those who can't play their instruments to a comparable level. Discuss?