What is an instrumental hard rock song, amazing guitar riffs, played often on rock radio in '96–'97, that sounds like Metallica but isn't?

I'm digitizing old radio mix tapes I made in the 90s and I don't think I was ever able to capture this song. I would hear it while driving to school, so I never had a record button near me!

Don't hate, that's the best description I can give. It's guitar riff heavy, it is heavy, it rocks, it's fun, I always hoped it was Metallica (no easy internet back then) and by now I know Metallica and it's not them.

It's not "Eruption" by Van Halen despite the internet swearing by it. Not even close.

I don't think it's Vai because it's not weird and slippery. It was just basic heavy metal riffing, short maybe 2 minutes long.

Honestly, I'll take any suggestions!