Some interesting concepts in your lists. I will have to keep checking back as you seem to think about things in a way that I can relate. Saw my name mentioned in a discussion, came here out of curiousity. Not sure if you care, but for the sake of the discussion, I havent had anything to do with the semi-secret AA group since they left here about 18 months ago. Did see them on last fm a few times though. Might see you on here infrequently!
Thank you for the comments - I don't really disagree for the most part and probably have nothing really insightful to add. That list, written in March 2012, was the closest representation of my decade long journey exploring heavy metal and its related genres that I could come up with. I still listen to the genre, but don't find it captures my focus as much as it once did. Probably I'm burnt out and it's message, if there ever was one, lost most of its relevance. It was painful to write, more so because, despite a brief period of new passion and exuberance towards the genre fuelled by discussions when the Way and friends were on here, my interest in Metal (and most music) has been on the decline for the last 4-5 years. Still working out how to get it back to where it was through university... before I started working full time and the mental drain that that can cause. I find it hard to put in the time and effort and decidation required to appreciate most music at a higher level these days. Back to the point, if I was giving someone else an overview of my experience with the genre, I would give them that list, as haphazard as it probably looks to someone who has appreciated art from a wider perspective (such as possibly yourself). Writing the list was more a personal "trophy" to myself... someone to look back on, almost an end point. (Unfortunately) I pretty much have no desire to find any new Metal music these days.
Then again, that all being said. The your lists based on songs (not albums) and your comments about the weaker parts of the albums even at the top end of the Metal echelon (as presented by me) resonate with me - it isn't just that I'm burnt out, it's just that most albums in Metal can be really hard to listen to from start to finish. Individual songs are a little easier for me to appreciate at this point in time.
If your interest is in vocal music, my favorite work of his in the genre is Op. 110. Highly recommended.