Engls (and I know I will piss someone off saying this but...) are almost solely based/marketed to the metal crowd. Virtually every amp of theirs can do "metal" in some form or fashion, and very much lean to the heavier sides of metal (death metal etc)
What I am saying is....DUH, the Fireball 100 can do metal, it was BUILT for it

The question is, will he like the Engl sound. Comparing an amp like the 5150 to the fireball is solely about which one is more pleasing to the ear. They both can do anything over the top, they are both "staples" I guess you could say in modern metal (especially the 5150) The Engl will be much more hi fi, less organic/gritty, definitely more scooped. Engl style tones: jag panzer, dying fetus, necrophagist,dimmu borgir etc. Engls have a very identifiable tone, that lies in the midrange I think.
The 5150 is much more organic, gritty, not nearly as balanced ( a good thing in my opinion) much more grind in the midrange, and definitely a much more midrange oriented amp, and I'd say will cut through much better in my opinion. The 5150s are GREAT live amps, and great studio amps, I love them to death. To me they are more "brutal" sounding do to its inherently grindy pronounced unique midrange. Again, its all preference
