Yoichiro Ishino, guitarist and founder of Japan's AREA51, has checked in with the following update:

"How's everyone doing?

The composing for the new album will be finished by the next month! The songs are more than ever strong! And the line-up who are joining the recording are amazing world-class members. They're like the musician who are also in your album collections. Some of the songs are already recorded.

We gain support from powerful team for our promotion in Japan. It's a new label but they're challenging people, so we're very excited to work with them! I will also make a progress for the release of PHOENIX SUN PROJECT with their support.

You'll hear more news during the end of this year to the beginning of the next year, so don't miss it!"

During a recent interview with BW&BK; scribe Carl Begai, Ishino discussed the tsunami and 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit his native Japan on March 11th, 2011. On record as the strongest earthquake to ever hit the island nation, it decimated the northeastern Tohoku region of the country.

Ishino is currently writing music for a metal album, the proceeds for which will benefit victims of the earthquake. His plan is to enlist internationally established metal musicians to sing or play a part on the record, and he has now confirmed that eight well known metal singers and two guitarists have committed themselves to the project. The full roster will be revealed soon. The album will be released under the name Phoenix Sun Project.

Ishino: “Every time I hear about the damage, I keep thinking there should be something I can do to help. That’s why I started writing in hopes of encouraging and inspiring people only a few days after the earthquake. Music is absolutely necessary in order to stand strong, and metalheads need smoking metal music. I’ve already created a few demos, and I’m planning on getting support from some respected musicians. All sales will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross. When released, I ask that metalheads from all around the world to support this great cause.”

Watch for exclusive updates on the benefit album here as it takes shape over the next several months.