Improving my heavy tones.... Help

I am currently running a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and absolutely love it. The one knock on this amp is that its distortion is well... Not a strength. (I dare you to find a better "clean tone" amp however)

I play blues and old school metal (maiden, sabbath, etc.) and am noticing that even with pedal help I cannot get the heavy tones I want.

Is the peavey the solution I hear some say it is? (assume I run, guitar>>EQ>>metal zone>>Screamer>>>EQ>>>Amp for metal)

If not, anyone else have any 50 watt or less tube solution. I prefer lower power so I can saturate the tubes at un-mic'd drum set level. And hell, since I am dreaming, higher end amp controls and features would be nice (Effects loop, multi-channel)

Thanks in advance for your help and input