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PEDAL FOR METAL

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Just make sure it has the LM308 chip & isn't one of the garbage ones currently in production
 
the more i play metal... the more i find "effects" tend to be more counter productive or redundant.. the less the sonic space.. the less effects should be placed on a bass..

^ This

Stick to the basics:
compressor, overdrive, distortion

Thicker gauge strings could get you more punch. And thinner gauge strings could improve your hammer-ons. Some proper EQ'ing will improve both without the need to change strings.
 
I would recommend adding a 4x10 or 2x10 cab rather than upgrading your current amp at this time. I believe the tnt puts out 300w into 4 ohms (correct me if I'm wrong) and I believe your are only getting around 200w into the 15 at 8 ohms.

300w should be lots for jamming and any relatively local size show.

The 4x10 should give you a punchier sound as well as a lot more sound (more speakers = more volume), whereas in general the 1x15 will be boomier.

this is essentially the setup I use (400w head, 1x15, and 4x10).

As for effects, a limiter/enhancer (from my understanding this should level out the signal levels between strings and different notes) and overdrive pedal are both on my want list.
 
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Just make sure it has the LM309 chip & isn't one of the garbage ones currently in production

It needs the LM308 chip. If you're handy with a soldering iron, get any rat and replace the opamp with either the LM308 or LM301. They are essentially the same chips, just some different specs which shouldn't bother us in stompbox use.

@BlindtheCarrier: You can't tell the sound of a cab just because of the speaker size. You can build a 4x8 cab that's bassier than any 1x15 and so on...
 
BTW, a major thing that a lot of newer metal players do is scoop their mids, meaning a smiley face looking setting on the EQ. I admit, it sounds great when playing by yourself, but more times than not, you will get lost in a band mix. Adding some mids to your mix will allow you to be heard better and will add some punch. Uber low, chest pounding tone is cool and all, but it doesn't set well in the mix. Save the crazy low frequencies for the studio.
 
I have two eq settings on my amp, which are foot-switchable. A flat setting with a wide but low-mid boost, and a scooped mid-treble setting for boomy intros (with chorus, etc...). As soon as my intro or solo is done: switch: and I'm back to twang, twang, punch, punch.

I suggest as above, get a good amp that will metal out for you... Mesa M6/M9 are awesome, but pricey. I'm sure others can offer more advice on this.

As far as peddles go:
  1. Boost/Eq (gives you your tone, but louder. works great in front of an overdrive)
  2. Overdrive (will boost the signal but also add grit and aggressiveness to your tone and can push a tube pre/amp into distortion if needed)
  3. Compressor (maybe... hook up the first two and see if you're getting bad clipping when you dig in. if so, a compressor could help tame this)
Hope this helps. I am in the same boat... trying out boosters and overdrives now!