Even before Porcupine Tree were on ice, bassist Colin Edwin had some musical projects on the side. But since the band has changed into its inactive phase, i.e. since 2010, the activities of the Australian are also increasing. He's as good a bandleader as Steven Wilson: With the bands Random Noise Generator, Metallic Taste Of Blood and O.R.k. he dedicates himself to modern visions of progressive metal. At the Ex-Wise Heads he tries his hand at North African folklore. As Endless Tapes or Burnt Belief and in joint albums with the guitarists Jon Durant or Lorenzo Feliciato he plays an ambient mixture of unobtrusive art rock and equally unobtrusive jazz. Not to mention his solo albums.

SHAMALL has delivered with the 5 CD box "History Book" an impressive show of their work; three decades are a lot of wood, also in the music industry. Norbert Krüler alias Shamall has long since created his own "feel-good zone" between prog, space rock and electronics. "History Book" offers a rich overview of his work. From a total of 13 albums from the period between 1989 and 2009, he has selected.

eclipsed: With the 5 CD box "History Book" you have delivered an impressive work exhibition. How did this project come about - why this comprehensive retrospective now, what was the occasion?

Norbert Krüler: The reason was of course Shamall's 30th anniversary. So a fitting occasion for a musical review "from the beginning to now".

eclipsed: How did you approach this project? How did you select the songs and distribute them over the CDs?

eclipsed: What do you mean by the programmatic title "Wake Up Before You Die"?

Doctor: As the title suggests, you have to wake up before you die. There's a life before death. Many people don't seem to know that yet, because they are in a kind of sleep state: social, political and spiritual. How bad is our existence supposed to get? Do we need more terror? More exploitation? More environmental degradation? We think all this bullshit is enough!

eclipsed: Have your numerous live, retrospective and remaster activities stopped you?

Doctor: Well, somehow I do. But above all the long pressing times today for vinyl. At just under six months, everything takes longer somehow. But vinyl is still extremely important to us, so we simply accept these times.

eclipsed: How are new pieces created? How do you inspire each other?

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