Source: Blabbermouth.net
FEAR FACTORY singer Burton C. Bell has commented on the events of November 13 in Paris, France, when more than 129 people were killed in seven coordinated terrorist attacks.
The greatest number of deaths took place at the Bataclan, a French music venue where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were performing when terrorists began a siege that ended with 89 people in the club either shot to death or killed in explosions.
A number of artists halted their European treks in the wake of the Paris attacks, including LAMB OF GOD, FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES and others.
During an interview with Ireland’s Overdrive, Bell was asked if the Paris massacre made him and his bandmates consider canceling the remaining dates on their European headlining tour. He responded: “Personally, no. The events in Paris were horrific, and at that point, we were concerned that our shows woud be canceled or postponed, because of those events. We did not want that to happen, because, for selfish reasons, that would [be] very expensive for us, and, more importantly, that would just mean that the people who carried out those cowardly attacks would win. If you let them create the fear that they want us to fear, then they win.
“Yeah, gun violence happens every single day in America; it’s almost becoming a commonplace event, which is very sad and is something that we just need to expect in our daily lives. No one expects to get hit by lightning, but they do.”
He continued: “You can’t let fear of these things prevent you from going outside and living your life. If you fall off your bicycle, will you never get back on it again? You have to keep going with things, because that’s what life is. You can’t let fear rule you, because you will have no life if you do.
“The Paris attacks were just so awful, and it breaks my heart to even think about it.
“Although we didn’t cancel and had no intention of doing so, I can totally understand why other bands did cancel their tours, but that is not FEAR FACTORY.”
The attacks in Paris led to a military response by France against the radical Islamic organization ISIS, as French jets bombed a series of targets in Syria.
The murders have stepped up worldwide concern over ISIS, as well as a debate in the U.S. over whether to accept Syrian refugees.
FEAR FACTORY‘s European trek saw the band playing the “Demanufacture” album in its entirety. They also showcased songs from their new CD, “Genexus”, which came out on August 7 via Nuclear Blast.