Having seen first-hand how deforestation threatens Costa Rica’s rain forest, two metalheads are working together to protect the world’s ecosystem.
Musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel says:
After hearing the chainsaws on a daily basis, we knew it was time to act, because the buzzing is only getting louder.
Sylvain founded Savage Lands with his long-time friend and Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren in 2022. Thanks to their music, the 501 (c) (3) non-profit has preserved 100,000 square feet of forest in high-risk areas along the Costa Rican coastline. 100% of the royalties from their first album, Army of the Trees, support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries.
In Costa Rica, Savage Lands partners with scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks, private businesses and other non-profits. Their Green Alliance (Alianza Verde) has led to more than 11,000 trees being planted in deforested areas throughout Costa Rica, which were planted with the help of 1,200 volunteers.
Dr. Jane Goodall, whose global institute is partnering with the metal non-profit’s European branch on preservation projects in France and Africa, says:
What Savage Lands is doing is fantastic. Nature is music. Trees have music, but when we lose species after species, our ecosystem collapses. Savage Lands are using their music to support projects that promote biodiversity, which will help make the world better for future generations.
he core band includes Poun and Etienne Treton from the veteran French Metalcore band Black Bomb A, along with Loco Muerte’s Florian Pons. When they planted their flag on Hellfest’s main stage in 2024, the festival leader pledge to donate 1 million Euro to the organizations over the next five years.
Heilung are featured on the band and are also working with Savage Lands outside of the recording studio. The Nordic collective donated $1 for every ticket sold during their most-recent U.S. tour to support their Season of Mist labelmates.
In closing, Sylvain and Dirk say:
Our goals are attainable. By converting the land that we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands will help set a precedent for environmental activism. But we must work together and quickly. Ecosystems are still under attack. If we don’t, then there won’t be any wildlife left to save.
Guests featured on the album:
Kai Uwe Faust – Vocals (Black Rock Heart)
Chloe Trujillo – Vocals (Black Rock Heart, Out of Breath)
Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals (Ruling Queen)
Kenneth Andrews – Guitar (Ruling Queen)
Andreas Kisser – Guitar (The Last Howl)
John Tardy – Vocals (The Last Howl)
Maria Franz – Vocals (No Remedy)
Lord of the Lost (Out of Breath)
