Costa Rica became the first tropical country to actually begin reversing deforestation. This is an ongoing struggle, and more people are jumping on board to protect the forests that are so important to not only the locals, but to the health of the entire planet. One of these critical groups of people consist of some big names in the metal music world, The Savagelands Project. 

Founded by musician Sylvain Demercastel and Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren, this initiative has begun spreading steadily throughout the metal community. 

The Savageland Project has signed with metal record label Season Of Mist, and they’re using all their royalties, plus donations and money raising efforts to fund reforestation and land ownership/protection in Costa Rica. 

Why, if you live on the other side of the world, should you care about trees in Costa Rica? 

Rainforests are carbon sinks. They insulate and commandeer carbon, which means they capture and contain global amounts of carbon emissions, storing them underground. This works like a fertilizer, feeding more vegetation. It works like a filter, transforming pollution into food. Destroying these places forces the planet’s oceans to take up the responsibility of “sucking up” the extra carbon. In turn, it makes the water a lot more acidic, and begins hosting an entirely new set of problems. Deforestation affects everybody—not just the people and the animals who live close by. At the last count, atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide registered almost 412 parts per million (ppm) and rising. We are literally losing our breathable air. 

Who’s on board the Savagelands train?

In addition to Verbeuren, Savagelands has the support of a pantheon of metal heavyweights, including Andreas Kisser of Sepultura, John Tardy (Obituary), Testament, Dropdead Chaos, Loco Muerte, Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A), Heilung, Gojira, Lamb of God, and more. Clearly, a lot of metalheads are serious about this initiative. 

Dirk Verbeuren, Andreas Kisser and John Tardy, along with members of Black Bomb A (Poun on vocals), have released a single together called The Last Howl. It pays homage to the Howler Monkey, one of the beautiful creatures highly threatened by the destruction of this environment. Check this out—it’s beautiful.

Pay attention, because The Savagelands Project is making their way into your living room.

They are the first non-profit organization to sign a production deal with a record label, and are becoming a real force of political power in the metal community. You can join the Army Of The Trees by signing up at Savagelands.org (https://savagelands.org/)

Donations are king, but there are other ways to be a part of and support The Savagelands Project. Simply watching the kickass video, listening to the music, and spreading it around (blogs, videos, etc.) is crucial, and helps build the initiative. We’re all looking ahead and looking forward to what this incredible music project is going to do in the future!

Donate: https://savagelands.org/donation/

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