Members of California rock band Eagles of Death Metal wiped away tears Tuesday as they revisited the Paris theater where they survived a deadly terrorist attack last month.
Solemn and silent, they returned to the now-shuttered Bataclan theater in eastern Paris. Its facade has become a shrine to the 89 people killed inside during a series of Nov. 13 attacks across Paris.
Band members laid flowers at the site under a persistent December rain, some embracing as they stared at the wreaths, notes and banners heaped in mourning and tribute. Singer Jesse Hughes covered his face in emotion as he paced pack and forth. Drummer Julian Dorio wiped away tears.
The band members escaped the carnage by hiding in a dressing room. Co-founder Hughes said in an emotional interview with Vice and HBO that he wants the group to return there when the concert venue reopens.
The band made a surprise return to Paris and performed with U2 on Monday night, its first on-stage appearance since the attacks, which killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more, terrifying the country. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
U2 was playing the last of four concerts in Paris, two of which had been postponed when France announced a state of emergency following the attacks. U2 frontman Bono told the audience he wanted to introduce "some people whose lives will forever be a part of this city of Paris. These are our brothers. Our fellow troubadours. They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago, and we would like to offer them ours tonight."
The two bands then played the Patti Smith song "People Have the Power."
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Hughes told U2 and the crowd, "We love you too, so much for giving us this opportunity. I look around and what do I see, nos amis, our friends. I f---ing love you guys so hard, and I will never stop rocking and rolling."
