Less than a month after the band reunited to record for the first time in years, members of Seattle metal-edge rock band Alice in Chains were at it again this week, putting down tracks for two new songs, among the first from the group in more than three years.

Some of the platinum-selling group's members convened in a Seattle studio earlier this week to work on a pair of new songs, according to band manager Susan Silver. While often-elusive singer Layne Staley was there, according to Silver, the Seattle sessions did not include guitarist Jerry Cantrell -- who is preparing to launch a solo tour in support of his recently released solo debut, Boggy Depot, with an Oct. 1 show at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Last month, all four of the group's members -- singer Staley, bassist Mike Inez, guitarist Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney -- spent two days in a Los Angeles studio, recording the band's first new material since 1995 with producer Dave Jerden (Jane's Addiction, Offspring).

The sessions yielded two new songs, which, along with the more recent tracks, could end up on a much-talked-about, but unconfirmed, multi-CD compilation set. "It's possible they could end up on a box set," Silver said. "There isn't any talk right now of a new album from the band."

While Staley didn't have time to record vocals during the Los Angeles sessions, according to Silver, he was able to lay down some vocal tracks during the Seattle sessions, which also included contributions from drummer Kinney.

In addition, longtime Alice in Chains collaborator Toby Wright (Jar of Flies, Dirt, Alice in Chains) worked as producer during the Seattle recording stint.

Meanwhile, bassist Inez did his most recent recording in L.A., according to Silver.

The songs, the titles of which have not been made available, could seemingly be among the tracks slated for the potential multi-CD box set, which the band's label, Columbia Records, promoted in an ad last year in the industry trade-magazine Billboard as being tentatively titled Men in a Box. But Alice in Chains' handlers quickly squashed speculation about the set, saying the ad was premature.

Alice in Chains fans have been patiently waiting for new music from the band, which hasn't released a new studio album since its third, highly successful album, 1995's Alice in Chains. Staley, who has publicly battled drugs through the years, is said to be ready to get back to the business of making music after the band's long layoff.

In the past, Staley has openly addressed the subject of his drug abuse in songs such as "Sludge Factory" (RealAudio excerpt), from Alice in Chains. Alice in Chains formed in 1987 and released their debut, Face Lift, in 1990. That album featured the group's signature hit, "Man in a Box," which was nominated for a Grammy.

Silver said a potential box set would likely feature rarities, demos, B-sides, singles and the new material, although no release date or configuration has been set yet.

A representative at Columbia Records could not be reached for comment at press time.

The band has no plans for any live shows, Silver said. The last live appearances by Alice in Chains were during a brief, four-date opening run for pop-metal rockers Kiss in 1996.

Last month, a source close to the band, who requested anonymity, said that, in addition to working on two new songs, the band rehearsed some of its old material. "We don't know the destination of these songs," the source said. "We'll see what spawns out of this."