While taking my head to the machine shop and small talking with the guy... he told me that metal multi layer gaskets do not show if they are blown or not.

In other words, the gasket could be blown to hell, but look perfectly normal. He said even a trained eye specifically looking for it could not tell if it was good or blown.

I didnt ask or challenge because he seemed certain, but does anyone know anything about this? Seems odd to me.

 

I've seen plenty of pictures posted that say just the opposite. Even still a compression test would tell you.

 

My brothers on his Jetta was broken in half.

 

Mine was leaking exhaust into the water jacket and overheating the engine, but the gasket looked pretty normal so...
As Grumble said: compression test is almost 100% accurate and recommended