We all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.
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Picture by Tim Tronckoe, 2014

On Saturday, January 3rd, 6PM local time, Ostrogoth guitarist Rudy ‘WhiteShark’ Vercruysse died peacefully at home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer, WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.

Together with drummer Mario ‘Grizzly’ Pauwels, ‘WhiteShark’ was the only band member to survive all the different line-up changes and to play on every single release, from 1983’s ‘Full Moon’s Eyes’ debut to the new ‘Last Tribe Standing’, scheduled for release on January 23rd.

These past few weeks were like an emotional rollercoaster for the band. As they were preparing for their first release since 1987, they had to announce that guitarist WhiteShark was fightingWe all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.We all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.We all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.We all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer.We all knew this day would come, but still it hurts a lot to publish this picture. White Shark died tonight at 6PM, in his home, surrounded by family and close friends. Since last summer WhiteShark fought an unfair fight against a too strong and invisible enemy, cancer. liver cancer. Although the situationwas very serious, there was initiallyanestimated life expectancy oftwo years.WhiteSharkstarted chemotherapy in June of last year and was able to play the 2014 summer festival shows, in between the manyhospitalvisits. WhiteShark was also present forthe recordings of 'Last Tribe Standing' last September and everyone was looking forward to a very busy schedule for 2015. Butin recent weeks the situation escalated fast, and thecancerwas getting more grip on WhiteShark’s body. Early December,the doctorshad to bring down drastically the earlierlife expectancy oftwo yearsto "a few weeks".
On December 6th, Sharkygave everything he had to puton a great show, when Ostrogoth played a sold out headline club show in Wippelgem, Belgium. It would be WhiteShark’slast ever showwith Ostrogoth.

Pragmaticandrealisticas he was,WhiteSharkhad a scenario for the future from the day he was diagnosed with cancer. Ostrogothneverhad to organizeauditionstostart looking foranotherguitarist. FromdayoneWhiteShark told the rest of the band “I want that guyto be my successor...when the time comes”. “That guy” wasGeert Annys. In the ‘80s, Geert was part of Belgian bands Stainless Steel, Thunderfire and Universe and spent some time in Neo-Prophet several years ago, but he is best known for his work on the debut album bymelodic hard rock bandMystery.

So all scheduled live shows for2015 will go ahead as planned, including Ostrogoth’s first ever visit to the US, on May 1st, at Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse in Chicago. 

Ostrogoth will release ‘Last Tribe Standing’, on January 23^rd 2015, both on CD and vinyl, through Belgian cult label Empire Records. ‘Last Tribe Standing’ is the first official Ostrogoth release since 1987 and features the current line-up that has been active since their return at Germany’s Keep It True Festival, back in 2012. ‘Last Tribe Standing’ will feature four new songs and the four songs from the legendary ‘Full Moon’s Eyes’ EP, in a 2014 live version, the way the current line-up plays these songs today. Old and new gathered in one. ‘Last Tribe Standing’ was produced by guitarist Dario Frodo and mixing technician Pete Mush and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Amaranthe, Evergrey, Pretty Maids).

‘Last Tribe Standing’ Line-up

Mario ‘Grizzly’ Pauwels – Drums

Rudy ‘Whiteshark’ Vercruysse – Guitars

Dario Frodo – Guitars and backing vocals

Josey Hindrix – Lead vocals & backing vocals

Stripe – Bass & backing vocals