Just like the trees they’re protecting, Savage Lands have roots that run deep. Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and guitarist-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel first joined forces in France during the late ’90s before reuniting two decades later to form the world’s first metal non-profit for biodiversity.
Since 2022, their organization has protected more than 100 acres of endangered forest with help from environmentalists and metalheads.
As they prepare once again to bring the metal forest to Hellfest, today, Savage Lands is proud to announce its partnership with ESP Guitars. The two will work together to raise awareness about biodiversity and help fund the preservation projects that Savage Lands is directing in Costa Rica, Europe and Africa.
“Savage Lands is so happy to partner with a great guitar company in ESP. We are looking forward to preparing some nice events and artist collaborations together”, Sylvain says. “I was endorsed by ESP when Dirk and I were playing in a band together back in the ’90s. I always loved their guitars, so it feels natural for Savage Lands to connect with my instrumental roots!”
To ring in their new partnership, Savage Lands are giving away their very own custom ESP EC Series Guitar. Painted forest green and carved with the Army of the Trees logo, this guitar is the only one of its kind.
For a chance to win this exclusive merch item, purchase a ticket for HellRaffle 2025.
Savage Lands will use 100% of the money collected from this raffle to finance another land acquisition like the one they recently purchased in Touraine, France.
Enter HellRaffle 2025
https://pages.gotombola.co/g/GTSQ249?locale=en_US
Other raffle prizes include a NOTOX surfboard and skateboard, drumsticks signed by Dirk Verbeuren and 2 full 4 day passes to Hellfest 2026.
Hellfest is donating one million Euro to Savage Lands after Sylvain and company performed on the main stage at last year’s festival.
Savage Lands debut album is out now on Season of Mist. Army of the Trees features members of Arch Enemy, Obituary, Sepultura, Lord of the Lost, Heilung + more!
Order & Stream
https://orcd.co/savagelandsarmyofthetrees
Just listening to Army of the Trees helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song’s royalties fund the organization’s preservation efforts.
The CD Digisleeve for Army of the Trees is made from eco paper, while the LP is pressed on BioVinyl.
Learn more about Savage Lands
https://savagelands.org/
Donate
https://savagelands.org/donation/
Tracklist
1. Black Rock Heart (feat Kai Uwe Faust) (4:36) [WATCH]
2. Ruling Queen (featuring Alissa White-Gluz) (4:31) [WATCH]
3. The Last Howl (featuring John Tardy, Andreas Kisser) (6:04) [WATCH]
4. No Remedy (featuring Maria Franz) (4:27) [WATCH]
5. Out of Breath (featuring Lord Of The Lost) (4:49) [WATCH]
6. Better Man (4:23)
7. Never Be Up (3:42)
8. Army of the Trees (4:26) [WATCH]https://season-of-mist.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e193a85c214ac2a879022c84d&id=98a2b8af0a&e=0c9f0e60df
9. Visions of Life (4:02)
10. Addicted (4:45)
Genre: Environmental Metal
FFO: Protecting the environment
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)
*Army of Trees features Steeven Corsini (Loco Muerte), Auré Jäger (Akiavel), David & Viber (Sidilarsen), Niko Jones (Tagada Jones), Julien Truchan (Benighted), Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast, Sinsaenum), Nils Courbaron (Bloodorn, Sirenia, DDC) and Aurelien Ouzoulias (The Beat Factory, Mörglbl).
Production
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Adair Daufembach at Daufembach Studio in Los Angeles.
Cover artist
Brewster Agency
Photographer
Gornos
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/savagelandsarmyofthetrees
Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digisleeve
12″ BioVinyl (Gatefold)
Follow Savage Lands
Official Website: https://savagelands.org/
Bandcamp: https://savagelands.bandcamp.com/album/army-of-the-trees
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/savage-lands/1712738479
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fft5SyNYhNar3PdYtKQSF
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Savage-Lands-100081754354224/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagelands_project/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagelands9644
