Desperately need help choosing first guitar

[Jerome]

I find it hard to believe that your first album will be critically acclaimed seeing as you do not even have a band yet, but 10/10 for confidence anyway. As regards guitars, these days there is very little between them, but maybe consider a PRS. You can get any sound you want from any instrument with all the modelling amplifiers now available, not to mention software plug-ins as well, but the most important thing is not what it sounds like but whether you are comfortable with the instrument or not. If you are serious about HM & shredding you are going to have to make sure it matches your fingers and playing style - a VERY important consideration. All electric guitars are essentially dead - they do not produce their own sound - it's the amplification and processing that's important. Find an instrument you are comfortable with first - the sound quality comes later. After many years of practice I might add.......oh yes, learn scales - boring, but it will unlock the neck for you to a point where you will not have to think about where your fingers are going - they just fall into place. Good luck!