For those purposes a passive pickup will probably suit you best.

Active pickups generate a much lower signal, but boost it hugely with an onboard (in the guitar) pre-amp.
This pre-amp chews 9 volt batteries.

Active pickups are most commonly used in metal bands, because of the higher output of the pickup and pre-amplifier.
Active Pickups are also usually quieter (in terms of hiss and hum, not out put volume) and so work well with really high gain amps and such.

I prefer passive pickups. I find they have more character and warmth, to me active pickups are almost like the sonic equivalent of a buzz saw...