I'd say no, there are better options and even more so if you are willing to spend like $100-200 more. I've made quite a few assumptions about you so do excuse me if I am incorrect about some assumptions. Since you have two Fenders, you are probably more comfortable with long scale (25.5 scale), narrow neck, small fret radius, light weight guitars which is pretty much the opposite of what Gibson offers - medium scale (24.75 scale), more classical (wide/flat) neck, heavier weight guitars. The difference may or may not hinder your playing. Beside the playability concern, you probably want higher output pickups considering that you play heavier music (based off your replies). Consider guitars with Seymour Duncan SH, AHB (blackouts), Nazguls, or EMGs. And as far as striking fear goes..... I don't think Gibsons, especially Epiphone line would do it (no offense to Gibson players). Some better options I would recommend that are around your budget: -Jackson SLATTXMG series (6 and 7 string models). Pros: Neck through, EMG 81/85 (more subjective), optional Floyd Rose. Cons: Bass wood body wings (bass wood is usually considered the low line guitar wood that is softer).[i] On paper[/i], this is probably the biggest bang of bucks for a metal suited guitar -ESP Ltd series (pretty much any model number that is 300-400+). Personally, the Horizon series is the best feeling guitar I have owned (I have the MIJ ESPs though, but the guitar profiles should be similar). For fear striking... F series, V series, or Ltd version of Alexi Laiho singatures should do the job. The Ltd line have some Gibson-ish couterparts that imo plays much better with better built quality (Gibson quality control is kind of questionable especially Epiphones as some already suggested) -Ibanez Iron Labels. I had owned Ibanez RGs (before Iron Label series so not with EMGs). The cuttaway is really deep and some Ibanez bolt on neck heals are recessed so upper frets play really well. -Schecter Omens. Never owned one. Played one at a store and didn't like it and the one I played had ridiculous pickup volume difference.....some insist these are decent so I'm just going to put it here and you can decide if you get to try one. I play symphonic, thrash, and power metal, so some of my concerns like upper fret access might not apply to you. Whatever you decide to go for, try out the guitar first through your amp (or similar one) and a few other amps that you might eventually upgrade to. The difference in tone is probably not really noticeable on solid state amps (I'd assume this is what you have) while really different on valve amps, especially high output pickups.

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Special II ($179) and it's a frickin boss. But I guess it depends on what you play. Judging by your choice in guitars if say you don't play very heavy music. If I'm wrong and you do, the humbuckers on the Les Paul Special II are sweet.

Get something badass. I suggest the Schecter Synyster Gates custom.

Ok so I have this exact same model and I absolutely love it. I've had it for over a year now and the quality is amazing. Not to mention you can never go wrong with an Epiphone

This it, OP? Colors don't matter.

I've always been able to trust Epiphone.

Get a 5 string ibanez for your bassist, and get a 7 string ibanez guitar (any of each model will do). That's what you do if you want to strike fear in your competition

But a Scuf instead. Use code "REKT" for 5% off

Then get it u fig

Epiphones aren't going to be striking fear into anyone. If you're on a budget it's not a [i]terrible[/i] guitar, but don't expect it to amaze other people. Just save up some more and get a Gibson.

I won't outright damn Epiphones, but I will say they are very hit and miss.

Yea! I just bought a similar one, the custom pro, in black and gold.