Re: glam and gothic metal
Petra are pretty good, yes. Their style continuously adapts to what is popular though. And by first metal band, I wasn't speaking in terms of Christian bands, but metal altogether, actually.
Re: Metal Vs. . . . . . everything else
Pop, go with Porcupine Tree. Rap, some of Pain of Salvation and Beardfish's material apparently contains rap. Sub-Saharan African folk? Probably exists somewhere!
Re: Prescient - Progressive metal from Australia
Very good song, although the drumming during the main/opening riff is a bit too much. I believe a slower drum beat would be appropriate. Other than that, great work.