Michigan-based prog-metallers TILES have checked in with the following update from guitarist Chris Herin:

"I was off to Toronto again last Wednesday for our last batch of sessions before the Holidays. The plan was to focus on guitar with Paul (Rarick) showing up a few days later for a few vocal bits and pieces (and guitar input). After some melody assessment and pre-production tasks were finished I tackled rhythm guitars on Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds (D4) - with Terry (Brown) engineering a huge guitar sound (Strat and Mesa TriAxis) by capturing the reflection of the amp off the studio's far wall. Just two tracks sound like an entire guitar army! Our friend Dave had lent me his Rickenbacker 330 guitar - at Jeff's insistence - which I used on the D4 verses to get a clean "BEATLES-esque" ringing tone. Of all the songs, D4 definitely has a bit of that "pastoral" 1981 RUSH sound happening... and, quite frankly, it's all Terry's fault :-). He went ahead (totally on his own) and conjured up a bass sound similar to Moving Pictures (as mentioned in the last report). Of course, we haven't told him to change it yet either - it sounds too good!

We spent some time deciding what to do with the ride out solo in 'You're Not Here' (possibly due for a title change to 'Hide And Seek' as suggested by Mr. Brown). Our goal going into this CD was "no really long songs," and this solo section puts the song over the 10-minute mark. As noted last time we thought lopping off the solo and having it recur as a reprise might be the way to go. However, Terry prevailed upon us to keep it all together as one song because it "really works." ...and as we continue to listen, we tend to agree so far. Paul delivered an inspired update for the bridge in 'Landscrape' and we spent several afternoons tweaking melodies for the remaining two vocals ('D4' and 'You're Not Here'/'Hide And Seek'). This meant more frustrating moments as I croaked scratch vocals into a microphone to render new demos. At least this time Paul could do some of his own demo work since we re-wrote and rehearsed some of the parts based on Terry's suggestions!

The sessions wouldn't have been a complete success without finishing a few solos. For those of you who lamented the lack of solos on Window Dressing have no fear... we've made up for it this time. I think there are at least 10 solos... maybe more! (although maybe this isn't good news, I don't know :-)). Anyway, I finally brought my Paul Reed Smith of retirement and completed solos for 'Crowded Emptiness' and 'Markers' (solos #2 and #3). Terry's input was invaluable as we figured out the direction and shape a solo should take to offer either contrast or continuity to the song - it was almost like a workshop - and was a rewarding experience.

We wrapped things up the following Monday and I left Toronto in the chilly but sunny afternoon (it's always a good idea to leave town before rush hour - otherwise you're stuck!) Unfortunately, the good driving weather only lasted until London, Ontario - when a full scale blizzard cropped up and accompanied me all the way to Windsor (it is December I suppose).

For anyone keeping track, we've completed the basic tracks to eight songs and completed six lead vocals. The running time of the CD is between 50 and 55 minutes. When we convene after the New Year we'll tackle the remaining vocals, solos, keyboards, and percussion - and hope to finish everything sometime this spring for a mid-2007 release. And no... we don't have a title yet. But we're not worried, there's always "Grout." ...or "Adhesive" as someone suggested."