While the Abraxas is truly versatile, I find that for live applications it can thin out a bit. In the studio is where it really shines in my mind. While it's not overly compressed, it stays fairly fluid for lead work - but the icing on the cake is how it layers for rhythm work in the studio. I've got tons of heavy, Abraxas-laden instrumentals under my belt. That is one of the most expressive pickups that I've ever owned - and the split tone with a little bit of overdrive is incredible.
Sorry I'm late to this thread, but I'd have suggested the MM, but that's more for 80's thrash - see: Exodus' Fabulous Disaster. It just nails this tone through and through. Since this didn't work for you, I'd actually have suggested the Crawler before the Abraxas. The Crawler is thick, velvety smooth and present in the midrange, and delivers enough high end presence to cut through a dense mix. Unlike its sibling, the Abraxas, high notes carry more weight and juiciness, if I may.
What the Abraxas does better in my mind is offer a better split tone and more extended dynamic range for pick attack. I suppose that makes it a bit more expressive overall. Something Thrash doesn't call for. I'm ranting. Where's my coffee??
BTW - the Dimarzio Gravity Storm is surreal for anything up to contemporary lead and rhythm work. It's totally uncharacteristic of their other models - particularly their signature models, which sound sterile to my ears. This one is organic and sits right between the Crawler and Abraxas. While it splits well, it doesn't do it with the bravado and charm of the Abraxas. Amazing lead tones to be had here.
