well, I can say that the nailbomb isnt really a 'bright' pickup. the air norton I have is brighter. the nailbomb is GREAT for NWOBHM, but I think the painkiller and cold sweat are 'brighter' or at least; have more grit and crunch, and better harmonics, and have a tighter feel overall, which, I think, is absolutely neccasary for NWOBHM, especially if you like to play stuff that is heavier. I am aiming at the cold sweat-set for one of my les pauls, as wel as the painkiller (both for customs), and I hope that they will have an open, airy, character when played clean, but get more and more tight and compressed the more gain you use.
That is something i already feel with the nailbomb and emerald (the emerald realy wasnt my thing; great for old school rock, but not the thing I needed in a les paul), and also with the MQ. the ceramic magnet of the PK and the CS will build upon that thing even ferther, i think....