Here is an example: Why didn't Van Halen and Sammy Hagar ever explore songs with an all-out  two guitar attack? A great missed opportunity to hear Eddie cut loose in songs where he didnt have to carry the rhythm and melody until the usual bridge solo. Could've been something really interesting.

Something along that line. I'm curious to see where people take this...

I've wondered what could have happened if Bathory ever played live.  All I know is that Quorthon played a few shows around the beginning of the Bathory career (good luck finding them), but then released basically the entire Bathory discography and never once played a live show.  Disappointing now because he's dead.  The viking anthems on Hammerheart would have been epic in an open air concert.

Fantastic thought there, Wily. I know a friend of mine who was a Radio Disc Jockey when Quorthon had released his first Bathory album would have killed to see him live. Who knows? Maybe more live exposure would have had a bigger impact on not only his popularity, but on songwriting for playing live as well. Could have pushed him into a whole other direction....

Had Metallica retained Dave, not only would they been a musically stronger band playing and songwriting-wise, I think the strong personalities of Burton and Mustaine may have countered Ulrich and Hetfield's and kept the band grounded for longer. Not only is the loss of Kirks' guitar addition by subtraction, but Dave also would've given Metallica a second option vocally. 

Would Metallica's Master of Puppets been even better for it? We can only conjecture....

I do know this. Firing Mustaine for his attitude and substance abuse issues was the pot calling the kettle black. They weren't know world-wide as Alcoholica for nothing. Its about as hypocritical as the firing of Steven Adler from GNR by a band that was doing just as much drugs as he was collectively. But in the end, we'll never know how much Metallicas' metal destiny was changed by letting Dave go early in their musical career.

I understand the grieving process is a difficult one. Add on clearing up business matters, auditioning a replacement, writing the music, etc... I'm not at all surprised its taken this long at all. 

To be honest, my thought upon hearing of Grays death, I thought Slipknot would call it a day, part ways, and form different bands out of the whole thing.