What pickups will achieve the metal/post hardcore sound with heavy distortion and yet crisp clean on a Dean?

I agree with the previous answer, EMG's are the standard for the late 80's to now, late-metal tone. They are active pickups, so you will need a battery compartment and new pots. Your volume & tone pots are 500k, but with active pickups you will need 25 - 50k only.

If you want a slight variation, try Seymour Duncan Blackouts. A number of players have switched due to their high output, but clear natural cleans, without that plastic sheen on top With all that said, I would suggest an easier, cheaper solution that will give good results fast. You could install passive pickups like these: store.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Crunch… with your existing pots and no battery.

You'll get 90% of the results for 30% of the money.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.