The seven string has developed quite a diverse reputation for istelf since it appeared in the rock spotlight around 1990 with the advent of Vai's signture Universe model, that multi-color swirl one (although the seven string guitar has actually been around for decades in jazz and other styles). Someone eventually came up with the idea of using the guitar in metal (it had to happen sooner or later). Now there are a lot of bands that have followed that trend and I agree that quite a few of them are just copying what was once originality in some form and mindlessly playing that low 7th string until they drive themselves and us to boredom. But I give a lot of credit to Korn more than any other '7-string band' because they do a lot of really interesting things with the guitars. As guitarists ourselves, we seemed to have created this notion of how a guitar is supposed to be played - either based on speed, tricks, licks, runs, 'difficulty', etc. That is a bunch of bull****. Musical instruments don't come with a manual that tell you how it is supposed to be played. There really are no rules or standards. Now what I really hate are people that don't give any thought to their own personal style and just follow the crowd. There is a lot of that right now in mainstream metal/rap or whatever you call it. That's what makes me sick. It happens in a lot of areas in music, not just 7-string bands. It will pass eventually like all things and a new trend will take its place.

Bottom line: be true to yourself. Take advice and have influences but DO NOT COPY. It will never fulfill you.