FOR DECADES, MUSIC FESTIVALS HAVE BEEN REMEMBERED FOR THE ARTISTS THEY HOSTED.
THE NEXT GENERATION MAY REMEMBER THEM FOR THE ECOSYSTEMS THEY HELPED PROTECT.
Metal can make a change.
As biodiversity faces one of the greatest crises in human history, Brutal Assault and Savage Lands believe that music festivals can no longer be measured solely by the experiences they create—but also by the legacy they leave behind.
Today, Brutal Assault officially announces a three-year strategic partnership with Savage Lands, beginning in 2026. Together, they aim to demonstrate that the global metal community can become a powerful force for biodiversity conservation while inviting festivals around the world to build their own environmental legacy through the Army of the Trees movement.
Following collaborations with leading festivals such as Hellfest, this partnership marks another step in an international movement that encourages festivals to protect nature not only through awareness, but through concrete action.
Because the biodiversity crisis will not be solved by governments and environmental organizations alone. It also requires artists, festivals, audiences and the entire cultural sector to become part of the solution.
A NEW RESPONSIBILITY FOR CULTURE
For decades, festivals have shaped music, inspired generations and created unforgettable memories. Today, they have an opportunity to create something even greater.
A lasting legacy.
Not only through the artists they invite… but through the ecosystems they help protect. This partnership reflects a shared conviction between Brutal Assault and Savage Lands:
Culture has the power—and the responsibility—to become a driving force for biodiversity.
BRUTAL FOREST MEETS SAVAGE LANDS
For more than six years, Brutal Assault has been developing Brutal Forest, its long-term reforestation initiative, with more than 12,000 trees planted across the Czech Republic.
Savage Lands, founded by Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) and Sylvain Demercastel, transforms music into direct conservation by allocating 100% of its music royalties and partnership revenues to protecting threatened ecosystems through land acquisition, restoration and permanent biodiversity sanctuaries.
By joining forces, Brutal Forest gains international visibility while becoming part of a broader movement connecting artists, festivals and fans through the Army of the Trees.
The next Brutal Forest planting event will take place this autumn in partnership with Lesy ČR(Forests of the Czech Republic) in the Hradec Králové region.
A THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT
2026: Building the movement
The first year will introduce official Army of the Trees× Brutal Assault merchandise, dedicated Savage Lands eco-cups, festival-wide awareness campaigns and the promotion of Brutal Forest throughout the festival experience.
Every visitor will be invited to become part of the Army of the Trees.
2027: The Biodiversity Tour arrives
As Brutal Assault celebrates its 30th anniversary, the festival will host Savage Lands as part of the Biodiversity Tour—a limited international series of performances where every concert directly supports a biodiversity project in the country that welcomes it.
The stage becomes a platform for conservation. Music becomes action.
2028 - Building a lasting legacy
The partnership will continue through new conservation projects, the expansion of Brutal Forest and additional biodiversity initiatives developed jointly by both organizations.
The objective is simple: Not only to organize more sustainable festivals……but to help leave healthier ecosystems for future generations.
A Call to the Cultural Community
The biodiversity crisis is bigger than any one organization. It demands new ideas. New alliances. New forms of leadership.
Savage Lands does not ask festivals to become something different. It invites them to become the best version of themselves. To create their own environmental legacy. To protect the forests, wetlands and biodiversity that make every territory unique.
The Army of the Trees is not about building identical festivals. It is about connecting unique initiatives through one shared purpose: Protecting the living world.
Today, Brutal Assault answers that call. Tomorrow, Savage Lands invites every festival, every artist and every cultural organization to join the movement.
« The next great legacy of music festivals may not be the stages they build… It may be the forests they leave behind. »
METAL CAN MAKE A CHANGE!
About Brutal Assault:
Brutal Assault is one of Europe's premier heavy music festivals, held annually inside the historic Josefov Fortress in Jaroměř, Czech Republic. Alongside its internationally acclaimed programming, the festival has built a long-term environmental strategy through recycling initiatives, sustainable operations and its flagship Brutal Forest project.
About Savage Lands:
Savage Lands is an international environmental non-profit founded by Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) and Sylvain Demercastel. Combining music with direct conservation action, the organization protects threatened ecosystems through land acquisition, ecological restoration and permanent biodiversity sanctuaries. Every music royalty generated by Savage Lands is dedicated to protecting biodiversity.
