Heavy metal tends to obsess over death and destruction. But thanks to Savage Lands, the genre's heaviest hitters are banging their heads together to protect the Costa Rican rain forest.
Just a few months ago, 60,000 square feet of rainforest along the Costa Rican coastline was going to get chopped down. Fortunately, the angry metalheads behind Savage Lands had other ideas.
Using royalties from their first-ever single, Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) and musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel purchased an ecological easement that covers more than 90% of that endangered area. While Savage Lands doesn't own the property, not a single tree can be cut down thanks to their purchase.
Savage Lands is a 501 (c)3 non-profit that's co-operated by Dirk and Sylvain. Using donations, fundraising efforts, and their own song royalties, they partner with other non-profits, scientists, engineers, and metalheads to build nature sanctuaries, establish green zones, and other land preservation projects.
"Hearing the chainsaw on a daily basis, because of a recent real estate fever destroying Costa Rica's ecosystem, we thought it was time to start a new type of action", says Sylvain. "We are reaching out to this great active community of metalheads."
"If you want to make a difference, take action!" said Verbeuren. "Our greatest hope with Savage Lands is that it will inspire you to join us, and if you can, to start your own initiative to help preserve animals, forests, and our planet."
Plenty of big names have signed on to join the army of trees that Savage Lands is growing across Costa Rica. Along with Obituary and Sepultura, members of Heilung, Gojira, Testament, and Lord of the Lost have all pledged their support. In case you missed it, check out their first single featuring Andreas Kisser and John Tardy, and donate to Savage Lands here.
