UPDATE: Revocation has made the following statement, postponing their Saturday night show, and sharing a pair of GoFundMe links (Fred Livingston Jr, Michelle) for the victims: “Our thoughts go out to everyone injured in the natural disaster that took place last night in Belvidere and we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person that tragically lost their life at the venue.”
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Morbid Angel’s show in Illinois on Friday night (March 31) ended in tragedy as high winds from a powerful storm caused the roof to collapse at the Apollo Theater in Belvidere. According to WGN TV in Chicago, one person was killed and nearly 30 were injured, at least five severely, as parts of the building fell into the pit area just in front of the stage, pinning concertgoers under rubble. The venue’s marquee and facade also crashed down into the sidewalk on North State Street.
Revocation were also on the bill, as the Boston metal band are currently on tour with the Florida death metal pioneers for Morbid Angel’s 40th anniversary tour. The show also included Skeletal Remains and Crypta. The roof reportedly collapsed after Crypta’s set, approximately 30 minutes into the show, with roughly 260 people in the building. The Apollo holds 1,500 people and last night’s show was sold out. A tornado warning was issued for the area and the storm picked up around 7:45 p.m. local time, according to local media outlets.
“A tornado hit the venue tonight and the roof collapsed,” Revocation wrote on social media. “ER crews are still attending to the injured and assessing the situation. Everyone in the bands and crew are safe. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this disaster. More details as they develop.”
Morbid Angel announced the show was cancelled just before 9 p.m. local time, asking fans who were still traveling to the venue to shelter in place, adding: “…[we] want to extend our support and hope that everyone at the show tonight is safe. Right now our focus is on making sure everyone in the venue tonight is ok and gets home.”
Skeletal Remains posted the following on Instagram: “Thank you all for checking in with us. Everyone on the tour package is alive and injury free. Our hearts go out to anybody in the crowd who were injured.”
And Crypta relayed the following: “We are safe and sound!! All bands on the package are safe! Thanks for your concern! Tornado hit the venue. We lost our RV, but we are ok. We’ll soon release a full statement about it and keep you posted.
Watch news footage from the tragedy below.