All the software you need to make an album at home for FREE:
Reaper - professional recording/sequencing/mixing/editing software: http://reaper.fm/download.php
A load of guitar realted vst pug-ins to get the sounds you want: http://guitarfx.info/index_1.html
Enough to get you a ll the effects and tools you need for mixing: http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
There should be enough there to get started for the first year anyway!

PS Reaper is as good as ProTools, Nuendo and Cubase SX3 - there is no need to buy software for $1000 when you have this package it will just be the same in a different wrapper. Check the Reaper forum and website for tutorials and setup help.