GEOFF TATE On Paris Terrorist Attacks: 'People That Engage In That Sort Of Behavior Should Be Eliminated'

Former QUEENSRŸCHE and current OPERATION: MINDCRIME singer Geoff Tate 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 the Pavillon 666 webzine that was conducted prior to his December 18 performance in Vauréal, France, Tate was asked for his thoughts on the Paris massacre. He responded: "I have many feelings about it. First off, it's a horrible tragedy. It's a horrible exhibit of humanity, that people would consciously set out to hurt innocent people for a belief. It makes no sense to me. It's actually quite insane, and I think people that engage in that sort of behavior should be eliminated from our human race, honestly. I'm just saying it how I feel. It's a horrible situation also because it affects the subconscious of people. People become afraid to go out in public and to gather in groups of people — gather in groups for holidays or events and things like that. And that's a horrible thing, because that's one of the highlights of being a human being — to gather in public places and have fun and witness an event, witness a musical show or a presentation or a sporting event, and have the freedom to feel comfortable there. And groups like ISIS are trying to take that away from the rest of us. And it's a horrible thing. And it shouldn't be put up with. The West, I think, should put an end to that kind of thinking."

He continued: "On one side, there's always the conscious that gets involved that says, 'Well, they have their own belief system, so maybe we should be accepting of their belief system.' I'm fine with people having their own belief system, as long as they don't hurt other people in inflicting their belief system on other people. So, if that's what they do, then I think they should be eliminated. 'Cause they're not adding to the human experience at all. They're not doing anything constructive; they're just causing fear, you know."

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.

"The Key", the first album of an ambitious trilogy from OPERATION: MINDCRIME, sold around 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was made available on September 18 via Frontiers Music Srl.