Yeah, aschleman perty much covered it, but to directly answer your last question...I'm not actually familiar with the metal pack, and which guitar it features, but I presume it has a humbucker pickup(s) instead of single-coils like the Strat. But unless you're a total headbanger and will play exclusively metal, you might find the single-coils a lil more versatile starting out. Of course, not that you can't play certain styles with either choice of pickups and guitar, just that they have differences that are generally preferred. So yeah, I'd say go with the Strat. And if you still have no idea what I'm talking about with pickups and such, just ask us or the guy you're gonna buy from at the music store. He'll prolly even demonstrate the difference in tones to you if you ask.