Are you more of a rythm player, or a lead player, and do you prefer a hardtail/stoptail, or a trem, or a Floyd Rose talepiece?

Also, when playing high gain metal, a $5000 guitar isn't going to sound any better than an $800 guitar. It might play better, but that's about it. I've got a Schecter Blackjack ($600) that does the metal thing better than my PRS Custom 22 ($1800), but the PRS is a bit more versatile, and play's a lot better (at least to me).

My suggestion would be, find a guitar that when you pick it up, you just can't stop playing it, because it feels soooo good. Then if it doesn't quite sound like you want, swap out the pick ups.