I agree and disagree that todays musicians don't know how to apply subtleties.
In a lot pf nu-metal, the same layered guitar techniques are used that Brian May made popular.
That is a process in itself from quiet to loud.
I saw a special a few years back on John Lennon's understated guitar capabilities.
All of the other instruments were silenced and his guitar was at a quiet droning buzz, but when his guitar was taken out with the other instruments turned up the songs made no sense.
Talk about subtlety.