Game music superstars contribute new music to 'Play for Japan' album

The name of the "Play for Japan" charity initiative typically refers to playing games, but a group of well-known video game composers, led by Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka, has decided to play some music to raise money for earthquake relief.

The album features new songs by composers such as Bear McCreary, Nobuo Uematsu, Tommy Tallarico, Super Mario Bros. musician Koji Kondo, and Creatures Inc. president Hip Tanaka, who has branched out in recent years from his work as a Nintendo composer (Metroid, Dr. Mario) into the role of a chiptunes DJ.

The album will be released in early June on iTunes, with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross. Check out the unexpectedly creepy cover art by Yoshitaka Amano above, and a significantly less creepy statement from Yamaoka after the break.