Eagles of Death Metal, the band on stage at Le Bataclan in Paris when terrorists stormed the venue, have released their first statement in wake of the attacks that claimed the lives of many in the venue including the band’s merch manager Nick Alexander and several record company employees. The band notes that they are now home safe, and all EODM shows are on hold until further notice. Read the full statement below.

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.

In related news, Josh Homme, who fronts Eagles of Death Metal (Homme was not on tour with the band at the time), plans to help the families of the victims of the attacks via his Sweet Stuff Foundation. The charity vows to dedicate all of its donations received through December 31 to the families of the victims. Homme founded Sweet Stuff in 2013 with the purpose of providing assistance to career musicians, recording engineers and their families struggling with illness and disability.