Eagles of Death Metal make statement on Paris attacks

Last Friday, California rockers Eagles of Death Metal were performing at Paris concert hall Le Bataclan, when the venue was attacked. Gunmen fired shots inside the concert hall, and seized more 100 hostages; 89 people were killed at Le Bataclan, and at least 129 were murdered in the six other attacks that took place in Paris that night.

Not long after the concert, the band’s representatives announced the members were safe. But the group’s merch manager, Nick Alexander, was killed in the violence, as were members of their record label: Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser, and Manu Perez. The group has otherwise been silent, until Wednesday morning, when they released a powerful statement. It is printed below in full:

While the band is now home safe, we are horrified and still trying to come to terms with what happened in France. Our thoughts and hearts are first and foremost with our brother Nick Alexander, our record company comrades Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser, and Manu Perez, and all the friends and fans whose lives were taken in Paris, as well as their friends, families, and loved ones.

Although bonded in grief with the victims, the fans, the families, the citizens of Paris, and all those affected by terrorism, we are proud to stand together, with our new family, now united by a common goal of love and compassion.

We would like to thank the French police, the FBI, the U.S. and French State Departments, and especially all those at ground zero with us who helped each other as best they could during this unimaginable ordeal, proving once again that love overshadows evil.

All EODM shows are on hold until further notice.

Vive la musique, vive la liberté, vive la France, and vive EODM.