Japanese neo-classical power metal act AREA51 has checked in with the following update:

"Our keyboard player Takeshi has left the band.

During the recording of (current album) Daemonicus, he was actually hospitalized for months after becoming ill. Daemonicus was completed after he returned, but due to ongoing health issues he has decided to leave the band, and the industry altogether. We are very sad to see him go, but are extremely proud to have had worked with him on this album. His performance on Daemonicus is absolutely marvelous, and his great efforts to support the band's development are very much appreciated.

We hope he recovers, and wish him the best of luck.

Area51 is now searching the globe for talented musicians who are willing to play on the next album, following the departure of the keyboard player and bassist. If you appreciate our sound, and are interested in this opportunity, please send us an email here. Don't forget to include a URL where we can listen to your performance."

As previously reported, back in 2008 BW&BK scribe Carl Begai caught up with guitarist/founder Yoichiro Ishino to dicuss the band's history and the Daemonicus album, which features a guest appearance by vocalist Rob Rock. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Q: People naturally assume you were influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen with regards to your neo-classical style of playing, but were there any others? Your songwriting style isn’t the typical neo-classical style associated with the Swede...

Ishino: "Yngwie was my very first encounter with metal. Everything about him had a very strong impact on me, so there was a definite influence for sure. Also, IMPELLITTERI and STRATOVARIUS have both influenced me, as much as Yngwie did. Impellitteri really inspired me in how to structure guitar solos, harmonies, rhythm guitar, so I think I learned more as a guitar player. Stratovarius, on the other hand, influenced me more on the songwriting side, and how a band should sound. There are many other influences, but I’d also like to mention SYMPHONY X, RHAPSODY OF FIRE and Vitalij Kuprij (keyboardist) just to name a few. As for Japanese bands, definitely X JAPAN. I’ve been a fan long before I even started playing any musical instrument. They’re a huge influence on us."

Q: How did you get Rob Rock involved on daemonicus? Was he a fan of Area51 before he agreed to record vocals for the album?

Ishino: "I was a huge fan of Impellitteri, especially with Rob Rock, ever since I was a high school student. That’s why I contacted him with the idea of singing on our album. At first I really wasn’t expecting that he would accept to sing for us, but after listening to some of our music, he told us 'This is great! I would love to!” I think it was the first time he did a duet with a female singer, and of course collaborating with Japanese lyrics at all, for that matter. It seems he really enjoyed the challenge, which made the experience absolutely wonderful for me, too."

Daemonicus was released in Japan on March 5th, 2008 and is available via iTunes stores worldwide. The album tracklisting: 'Introitus', 'Les Anges', 'Ashes', 'Venus - Croix Eternelle', 'Close To... You And Me', 'Crimson', 'Despair', 'Just Like A Prayer', 'Requiem', 'Lord Knows' (featuring Rob Rock).

Go to this location for audio samples.