Replying to Epiphone players-advice

So after a long 9 month hiatus of not really playing guitar, I want to get back into it again. I've got a Jackson Ke3 Kelly in blue swirl that I've had for 3 or 4 years and played a few shows with. I hate to get rid of it but I want something thats a little less radical and doesnt sound quite as harsh. (I used to play alot of metal) I've been thinking about selling it or trading it in for a high end Epiphone Les Paul copy. I'm pretty set on the Epiphones but I just want to know how the higher end models compare to the Gibsons. I've played a few Gibsons and like them, but their quality doesnt merit a $1500 price tag. I'm planning on getting back into a little metal and hard rock, and also dabbling in alot of country. So how do they compare?