[Cover photo by Savage Lands]

After hearing firsthand how land developers are tearing down Costa Rica’s rain forest, two metal heads decided they weren’t going to sit around and rust in peace. Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and his old guitarist Sylvain Demercastel started Savage Lands, the music industry’s first artist-run environmental non-profit. 

100% of the royalties from Savage Lands’ debut album support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries. Army of the Trees comes out this Friday, February 14, 2025, but the band and their label have put up a full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel. 

In their latest single, “Army of the Trees”, Arch Enemy front woman Alissa White-Gluz takes part.

She says:

Metalheads have always been powerful and passionate people in my eyes. I hold deep gratitude for Savage Lands and their relentless work in safeguarding the fragile beauty of Costa Rica’s ecosystem.   

Dr. Jane Goodall, whose global institute is partnering with the metal non-profit’s European branch on preservation projects in France and Africa says:

Nature is music. Trees have music. Savage Lands are using their music to support projects that promote biodiversity, which will help make the world better for future generations.

The CD Digisleeve for Army of the Trees is made from eco paper, while the LP is pressed on BioVinyl.