Tiles makes me wonder...

 

Umm...  what?

I don't hear any trace of Metallica in their music, and I know their first three albums very well. I do hear a lot of Rush though, and also a lot of freshness and versatility. They have varied and complex compositions (without becoming overwhelmingly complex), they're catchy and unpredictable, and basically I would say they have what it takes to be a great band. Not many people seem to have heard of them, although I think they're one of the finest bands to have emerged in the prog scene in the nineties; their contract with InsideOut is quite indicative of that and they should release a new album next year, if all goes well.

But they're definitely not comparable to Metallica or any other metal band for that matter, as they're clearly rock-oriented. Rush is actually the only valid comparison I can think of. Maybe you mean a different Tiles...

 

Anyway, a quick link for those who don't know them: http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_BAND.asp?band_id=464

 

 

I've got Fence The Clear, and the vocalist is channelling Hetfield's voice through most of the album, with lots of Metallica/Black-inspired riffs and melodies... 

 

If you listen to the majority of the Tiles' Fence The Clear album, it's quite apparent that the vocalist is taking a HUGE influence from James Hetfield's voice, not just in the tone, but in the phrasing and melodic stylings.  I haven't heard any of the other albums, so it may not be the case all over, but it's definitely apparent here.  Just because you don't like it doesn't mean you have to go into denial.

 

You didn't say that at first. I don't believe people would have reacted this way if you would have stated what, more precisely, is on your mind when you say Tiles is comparable to Metallica.

 

That doesn't mean they are or aren't of course. And obviously the Rush element is much more prevelant, at least in the 8 or 10 Tiles songs I've heard here and there. Then again Tiles borrows a lot of things from many groups.