This is the 3rd CD of the US-progmetallers Tiles. After their selftiteled debut CD and 'Fence The Clear', 'Presents Of Mind' is released. Our American friends are inspirated by Rush and you can hear that. Especially in the slower parts and the rhythm guitar parts. The difference between Tiles and Rush is that Tiles is heavier. So, for those who think that Rush is too soft, this is the CD I highly recommend you. But don't compare with e.g. Symphony X. Tiles is not that heavy. The CD contains 10 songs. It is real progressive metal with great bass-parts, a very good singer with a voice that fits very good in this music, nice songs (very innovate, they show me that they are good and technical talented players) and a good production. What does a progmetal-freak want more?!

Rating: at least 9,5 points out of 10. It depends of my mood. The most striking tracks: 'Ballad Of The Sacred Cows' (instrumental) and 'Taking Control'.

This is the third album from the four-piece US band Tiles, and it's almost as good as the previous album "Fence The Clear" from 1997. Still you can hear the reminiscences to Queensryche and Rush although they aren't that obvious any longer. Perhaps you could compare this album though with Queensryche's "Promised Land" and "Hear in the Now Frontier". The music is intricate progressive metal with good melodies and arrangements.

The singer is really good and the guitarist is a real maestro. The highlights are the opener "Static", "The Learning Curve", "Ballad of the Sacred Cows", "Taking Control", "Safe Procedures" and the last track "Reasonable Doubt" that contains violin played by Discipline's Matthew Parmenter. As said in the press info "the lyrics focus on how the human mind adapts to the many different and changing situations life presents".

The cover artwork that is displaying the music very well is made by Hugh Syme, known for his work with Aerosmith, Arena, Fates Warning, Bon Jovi, Kiss, Megadeth, Queensryche, Rush and Whitesnake among others. I recommend you to buy this CD immediately.