Savage Lands, a metal music non-profit founded by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and guitarist Sylvain Demercastel, is set to release its debut full-length album “Army of Trees” on February 14. The album features contributions from notable metal artists, including Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy, Andreas Kisser of Sepultura, and John Tardy of Obituary. The band’s mission is to fund and execute reforestation projects around the globe.
Demercastel, a Costa Rican activist since the ’90s, paired with Verbeuren in 2022 to form Savage Lands after witnessing the destruction of Costa Rica’s rainforests by land developers. “After hearing chainsaws tear through Costa Rica on a daily basis, we knew it was time to act,” says Sylvain, “because the buzzing is only getting louder.”
The album’s new single, “Ruling Queen,” features Alissa White-Gluz and Obituary guitarist Kenneth Andrews. The video for the song was shot on location in the 100,000 square feet of high-risk Costa Rican rainforest that Savage Lands has preserved using royalties from their music.
White-Gluz expressed her deep connection to the project, stating, “Art and activism converge in a space of meaning, and that is where I choose to stand.
Ruling Queen video drives reforestation
Metalheads have always been powerful and passionate people.
I hold deep gratitude for Savage Lands and their relentless work in safeguarding the fragile beauty of Costa Rica’s ecosystem.”
Savage Lands is working with local NGOs to finance reforestation operations and create sanctuaries. They have also signed a three-year collaboration contract with the Jane Goodall Institute to co-finance operations in Burundi, Africa, and the Jane Goodall Biodiversity Reserve in France. Despite facing resistance and threats from those who perpetuate deforestation, Demercastel remains optimistic about the project’s impact.
“When you try to bring people into something as obvious as just planting a tree then watching it grow, it creates an emotional connection,” he says. “Army of Trees” is being released via Season Of Mist Records, with 100% of royalties going directly to the non-profit. Pre-orders for the album are available now, with vinyl copies being produced on BioVinyl, an eco-friendly non-fossil record material.