U.S. band Eagles of Death Metal has broken its silence on the Paris attacks that shook France on Friday. It expressed its sympathy for the attack victims and urged people to live with love and compassion.

The members released a statement on Facebook and said they are still trying to accept what happened during their Paris concert. “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, and now united by a common goal of love and compassion,” the statement read.

On Friday, Eagles of Death Metal was performing at the Le Bataclan theatre when an ISIS gunman fired in the concert hall, killing 89 people and turning more than 100 hostage. The band members were all safe, while the attack resulted in the loss of the life of EODM’s merch manager Nick Alexander along with three members of their record level.

“Vive la musique, vive la liberte, vive la France and vive EODM,” a part of the band’s message written in French said. The post welcomed several comments from the band’s fans. “They tried to kill me and my wife while dancing in front of our favourite band, thankfully they failed,” one of the commenter, Maxime Dourlens, wrote.

“Hello I was there in The Bataclan, I have the chance to be just wounded, some friends are dead, it's hard to realize that horror, especially when I remember how the first part of the show was very good and there was a so good atmosphere in the place, in a few seconds it was hell on earth ! I hope you will in the next years come back to Paris, we have to win against fear and violence ! I love your music !” another commenter, Claude Pfieffer, wrote.

The band also announced that they have returned to their hometown and have put their shows on hold for now. The public would be notified about the band’s show as soon as there’s new development.

Meanwhile, California charity Sweet Stuff Foundation, which has connections with the EODM, said that it would offer donations to the families affected by the Paris attack until the end of 2015. One of the members of the band, Josh Homme, founded the charity with an aim of supporting and encouraging musicians, recording technicians and their families during crisis situations.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES