As previously reported, AREA51 guitarist Yoichiro Ishino recently informed BW&BK; that he is working with ANTHEM vocalist Eizo Sakamoto on the singer's new solo album. Ishino has offered us a few more exclusive details of the project:

"We've started to record the EIZO JAPAN's album. It is the official name of this project. We plan to release this album in September. We are preparing around 18 songs for this album. I play and arrange 10 songs of these. And two other guitarists play and arrange the other eight songs. My side is metal, and other side is not. My side includes traditional power metal style, death metal style like DEVILDRIVER / ARCH ENEMY, funk style like Extreme, and more! We are focusing to song / harmony than ANIMETAL (Eizo's previous project)."

Sakamoto recently issued the following blog with regards to the project:

"Hello everyone!! How are you? I'm doing great!!

"I recorded some songs from my new album a few days ago. Finished two songs so far, 'Turn A Gundam' and 'Metal Armor Dragonar'.

'Turn A Gundam' is the one from the 1990's, 'Metal Armor Dragonar' is from the 1980's. I like those beautiful melodies. Louder shout than Animetal, more brilliant chorus than JAM Project. Since this album will be dedicated to anime/tokusatsu fans from all over the world, I'm not in the mood for compromise. That's why I'm exhausted after recording. I can't wait for the day I sing with you on stage.

I'm planning to record 'Sakura Wars' and 'Engine Sentai GoOnger' for the next. Well, the album chooses from wide variety of Japanese classic anime from the 1960's, tokusatsu and anime from the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and the latest 2000's songs too. With all my shouts in top gear!!

Anyway, I really like the arrangements, especially the guitar! My former guitar partners, Syu and She-ja are great guitarists, but you will find another great guitar sounds in the album! Of course my vocal works are definitely cool!

A new career of mine as Eizo Japan will start in 2009. I will tell you soon when to release the album.

Keep on Rockin'!"

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