I feel the sole reason that it is difficult to find good speakers for hard core metal is the fact that many metal bands are small scale and do not record in very good studios. Therefore, the source is flawed from the beginning.
One of the reasons Metallica did so well was because they were able to make the record sound good. "And Justice for All" is actually a really well recorded, fairly dynamic album and is one of their heavier works. I agree that they are not in the same category as the harder core bands like Cannibal Corpse and others but I feel it helped them out. Excessive reverberation while recording a metal album can really make the music sound mushed together. I feel this is one of the major things hurting them right from the get go. With excessive reflection and reverberation in the recording space, it just ends up sounding more like noise.
I do like metal from time to time. Pantera usually helps me out there (older stuff). I even have a Cannibal Corpse record somewhere too.
I really enjoy Tool though. There is no one else out there like them. Danny Carey's drum work is from another world. They actually care about the music they are putting out and won't release it until it is perfect. They still record on analog masters too!!
Don't forget, Vicarious video on DVD on Dec. 18th.
wooohoo!