After hearing firsthand how land developers are tearing down Costa Rica’s rain forest, two angry 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, but you can hear all 10 star-studded songs today by listening to the full album stream via YouTube below.
“Metalheads have always been powerful and passionate people in my eyes”, says ARCH ENEMY front woman Alissa White-Gluz, who stars as the queen of the jungle on the latest single from Army of the Trees. “I hold deep gratitude for SAVAGE LANDS and their relentless work in safeguarding the fragile beauty of Costa Rica’s ecosystem”.
SASVAGE LANDS‘ roots run deep. Dirk and Sylvain first met in France during the late ‘90s, when they both played in the socially conscious thrash metal band ARTSONIC. But like the limbs of a tree, the organization is supported across many different fields. They partner with local scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks and other non-profits on the ground in Costa Rica, as well as international organizations like Hellfest, who are donating 1 million Euro to Savage Lands over the next five years.
“Nature is music. Trees have music”, says Dr. Jane Goodall, whose global institute is partnering with the metal non-profit’s European branch on preservation projects in France and Africa. “SAVAGE LANDS are using their music to support projects that promote biodiversity, which will help make the world better for future generations”.
Whether they’re out planting trees or hunkered down in the studio, SAVAGE LANDS foster the spirit of collaboration. Any metal supporter will recognize Dirk‘s swiveling left foot behind the drum kit. But alongside Sylvain‘s shredding solos and melodic riffs, the core band is backed by LOCO MUERTE‘s Florian Pons and Poun and Etienne Treton from veteran French metalcore band BLACK BOMB A.
Core Lineup:
Poun – Vocals
Sylvain Demercastel – Guitars
Etienne Treton – Bass
Florian Pons – Drums
Special Member:
Dirk Verbeuren (Drums on “Black Rock Heart”, “The Last Howl” and “Out of Breath)
Collaborators:
Stephane Buriez
Ardag Basmadjian
HK Nico + James at Vamacara
Guest Features:
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 – Vocals, Guitars (Out of Breath)
Source: metaladdicts.com
