Punishing noise levels are a natural force among metal’s various habitats. But after hearing the roar of chainsaws tear through Costa Rica’s rain forest, two angry metalheads are banging their heads together to protect our ecosystems.
Savage Lands is co-operated by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel. Since its founding in 2022, the U.S.-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit has preserved 100,000 square feet of Costa Rican forest using the money from their music. 100% of the royalties from the organization’s debut album, Army Of The Trees, support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries.
Debut album, Army Of The Trees, comes out February 15 via Season of Mist. Watch the video for the album’s anthemic title track, which features stars from across the French metal scene, below. Pre-order/pre-save the album here.
Like the trees of the rain forest, Savage Lands are supported by many different branches.
On the ground, the organization partners with scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks, private businesses and other local non-profits. Their Green Alliance has led to more than 11,000 trees being planted in deforested areas along the Costa Rican coastline thanks to the help of 1,200 volunteers. They also partner with global conservation leaders like the Jane Goodall Institute.
“Nature is music. Trees are music”, said the world famous scientist, who is working together with the metal non-profit on preservation projects in Africa and France.
Collaboration also fuels Savage Lands’ creative drive. Army Of The Trees introduces several species of metalhead into the band’s natural environment. The album features Alissa White-Gluz, Lord Of The Lost and other movers and shakers from across the metal industry. While the title track boasts a wild ranging guest list, its anthemic energy comes from the organization’s earliest roots.
The foundation of Savage Lands was three decades in the making. Dirk and Sylvain first met in France during the late ’90s, when they both played in the socially conscious thrash metal band Artsonic. While Dirk went on to join Soilwork and Megadeth, the country has continued to support their joint conservation efforts. Hellfest pledged to donate 1 million Euro to Savage Lands after the band performed on the main stage at this year’s festival with familiar faces from Napalm Death, Biohazard, Body Count, The Gathering and their core members in French metalcore exploders Black Bomb A and Chicano crossover punks Loco Muerte.
“That’s one of the beautiful things about Savage Lands”, Sylvain says. “As a band, we’re not limited to just one genre. We can adapt to boost the strengths of whoever is joining us”.
"Army Of The Trees” packs more Francophone force. Eight pillars from the French metal scene join Savage Lands in the fight to protect the world’s ecosystems. Niko of Tagada Jones throws lyrical haymakers while Loco Muerte’s Steeven Corsini spins a blazing rap between drums that pound like the forces of the jungle. Auré Jäger (Akiavel), David Sidilarsen and the mighty Julien Truchan from Benighted flex their beastly growls. The ghostly video is a chilling reminder of what’s at stake, but the fiery guitar solos from Sylvain, Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast) and Viber (Sidilarsen) put more than enough bite behind Savage Lands’ fierce rallying cry. “Now is the time to take a stand“.
“Our goals are attainable,” Sylvain and Dirk say. “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”.
Raise your horns and join the Army Of The Trees in support of the metal non-profit.
Just listening to “Army Of The Trees” helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song’s royalties fund the musician-run non-profit’s preservation efforts in Costa Rica.
Learn more about Savage Lands here. Donate here.
Tracklisting:
"Black Rock Heart"
"Ruling Queen"
"The Last Howl"
"No Remedy"
"Out Of Breath"
"Better Man"
"Never Be Up"
"Army Of The Trees"
"Visions of Life"
"Addicted"
"Army Of The Trees" video:
"No Remedy" video:
"Black Rock Heart" video:
"The Last Howl" video:
