Hellfest Donates €1M to Savage Lands for Reforestation

France`s renowned heavy metal festival, Hellfest, has made a significant contribution by donating 1 million euros 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 and create sanctuaries free from human interference in Costa Rica. The organization finances its work through song royalties, donations, and various fundraisers, building nature sanctuaries and establishing green zones and other land preservation projects. Hellfest’s donation is part of a five-year partnership, with Savage Lands continuing to host a booth at the festival. To date, the non-profit has protected 60,000 square feet of rainforest, funded entirely by music royalties. Many notable 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 their set. Chloe Trujillo and The Gathering’s Silje Wergeland also joined in. For the grand finale, Savage Lands brought out Jesper Liveröd (Nasum), Alejandro Montoya (Cultura Tres), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), and Shane Embury (Napalm Death). “Our goals are within reach,” said Demercastel. “By converting the land we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands is setting a precedent for environmental activism. But time is of the essence. Ecosystems are still under threat, and if we don’t act swiftly, there may be no wildlife left to protect.”