(VIP booking) – Hellfest, France’s famed heavy metal music festival, has made a major contribution by donating €1 million ($1.092 million) to Savage Lands, a non-profit organization focused on reforestation efforts.
Founded by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and guitarist Sylvain Demercastel, Savage Lands raises funds to restore forests in Costa Rica and create protected areas free of human interference.
The organization funds its work through song royalties, donations and various fundraising events, as well as through the creation of nature reserves, establishment of green zones and other land conservation projects.
The Hellfest donation is part of a five-year partnership that has seen Savage Lands continue to have a booth at the festival. The nonprofit has protected 60,000 square feet of rainforest and is funded entirely by music royalties.
Many famous musicians supported Savage Lands at Hellfest. Sylvain Demercastel was accompanied by Florian Pons (Loco Muerte), Poun and Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A), with special appearances by Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Daniel de Jongh (Textures) throughout the scene. Chloe Trujillo and The Gathering’s Silje Wergeland also join.
The finale features “Savage Lands” featuring Jesper Liveröd (Nasum), Alejandro Montoya (Cultura Tres), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard) and Shane Embury (Napalm Death).
“Our goals are achievable,” Demercastle said. “Savage Lands is setting a precedent for environmental activism by converting the land we purchased into a nature reserve. But time is of the essence. Ecosystems are still threatened, and if we don’t act quickly, there may be no wildlife left to protect .
