Update:

@Ens: Thanks again, :) i kinda did add a few more things in the middle.. not sure what you'll think of it. I keep wanting to add little random bits of detail to it, just so it doesn't look as bare.
@Bulo: Thanks man, really pleased you like it. I was thinking about this earlier and realised that Metal Slug also has quite realisticish/detailed backgrounds, yet quite cartoony and vivid sprites, so i might be able to pull it off.
@DJD: Haha, i'm flattered your first post is in the rustbug thread :). And yeah, if this was to be an actual level, i guess i would have to quadtruple the length of the foreground parts (i wouldn't have to add much to the sky though, cus it would move much slower... i figure). Perhaps once all the layers fit like in this scene, it would become a setup for an interesting boss battle - therefore giving a reason for the pile being so distiguishable.
  The new rustbug sprite will definetely fit this style more than the previous ones. Not sure when i'm actually gunna show it to you guys, but i'm gunna be making a few more changes to it first.
  Cheers for your input!
@Eq: Lmao, thanks. I totally agree with you about the sky. I tried to remedy it a little in my latest update, but i'll be working on that alot more soon i think.
@EyeC: Ah, you're too kind. In my latest update i fixed the problem with the harsh dithering in the pile as you said, and i like it alot more now. Also makes things much easier with another colour.
  And coolio, i try to update in fairly decent intervals, so you shouldn't have to wait too long each time :)
@sco: I'm glad you like it dude, but yeah, that's meant to be ground. I thought a few days back that i may make it a shallow channel of water (as if they use it to direct the water from the heaps) and i could have some interesting effects going on there. Might think about it again.
@TBOB: Yuppo, the pathway hasn't really been touched yet. I was thinking i might (if i dont do the water idea as mentioned above) have some metal planks going along it, with dirt covering the edges or something. And thanks so much. ^__^ (hope you and scott like my dead fish scribble).
@Murr: Ah gdgd, glad you like it. By natural clouds i guess you mean smaller, more normal looking ones? Well basically the entire sky is filled with this giant cloud smog, so i don't think i'll be adding any ones like that in. I'm gunna try and add more detail to the unrefined areas soon though.
@ryum: Ahah, just caught you there. Thanks alot man!

(God i write far too much)
Thanks again to everyone :)
Hope you like the update.