Shamall (which loosely translates as "hot desert wind") features music whic… Read Full Bio ↴Shamall (which loosely translates as "hot desert wind") features music which is a fusion of progressive rock, electronic, rock, pop, and classical. The project was founded by the German musician and producer Norbert Krueler in 1986. Shamall collaborated with numerous different musicians all over the years. Frequent members are Matthias Mehrtens (guitar), Mike Bach (drums) and Anke Ullrich (vocals).

Over almost three decades Norbert Krueler has formed the alternative rock scene by his work as resident DJ in a big Rock Club in the northern part of Germany, as he decided to focus exclusively on his music project Shamall three years ago.

Since the foundation in 1986, Shamall has produced biyearly a new album. Especially in recent years, his creative power was as inexorable, that the latest 4 albums were released as full-length double discs.

He was accompanied by considerably different musicians over the past years. On conceiving a new album, Norbert tries to dissolve mentally from his respective previous work: "...when I'm working on a new album, I always bring to mind my latest work to avoid copying myself. Furthermore I want to meet an intellectual challenge with every new album and get over a musical barrier, which I hadn't managed before..."

Since Shamall has successfully produced italo-disco in the eighties and made formidable electronic music in the nineties, his musical ambition has been changed. As following his own motivation, not to be musically pigeonholed he always tries to bring in new musical elements to his music. On "ambiguous points of view" different guitars and vocals play a decisive role together with monumental sound. Due to the manifold interaction of these elements the last step of the metamorphosis from an electronic artist to a progressive / psychedelic rock project has been done effectively.

So "ambiguous points of view" is a musical augmentation, but goes also back to the roots: the double album contains only two themes, which expands over the whole album in the tried and tested way of the 70's and 80's. Musically the influences of some well-known bands of the alternative / psychedelic rock scene of the 70' and 80' era appear on the new album. A trademark of those bands was their pleasure to create musical experiments and their audibly LOVE to make music. These remarkable signs are omnipresent on "ambiguous points of view".

But the Shamall-fan of earlier works hasn't got to fear too extreme experimental debaucheries: "...The melody itself still represents the cultural heart of Shamall. She mustn't pale beside overload of equipment or by far technical abilities of the individual musician. Heart, culture and brainpower should always be the well-balanced backbone of Shamall. Shamall is just a child of the colourful flower-power-hippie-era..." (Norbert Krueler)

Never Before
Shamall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It‘s been a long time
so far as I recall
so much is on the line
it‘s been a long time
so far as I recall
never in the field
of human conflict

The calls for the change
are growin‘ ever louder
never before the demand
was shouted out that loud

It‘s been a while when
the big crowd shouted out:
phase out and turn off now
voices, voices …

It‘s been a long time
never in the field
of human conflict
so far as I recall
so far as I recall
So much is on the line
so much is on the line
it‘s merely a matter of time
so much is on the line

The calls for the change are growing
ever louder
never before the demand was shouted
out that loud
A chance of a lifetime
A chance of a lifetime
for an energy turnaround
never before the demand was shouted
out that loud
more than only a nationwide change
a sign to the world

It's been a while when there were voices
way beyond the horizon
It's been a while when people in a huge scale
repeated an urgent request
men and women
boys and girls
black and white
young and old
call and shout together

It‘s been a while when a big crowd
shouted out
phase out and turn off now
voices …
It‘s been a long time
never in the field of human conflict
so far as I recall …
so far as I recall …

so much is on the line
so much is on the line

it‘s merely a matter of time
so much is on the line

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Shamall's song "Never Before" speak to themes of change, urgency, and the need for action in the face of looming crises. The singer reflects on the fact that it has been a long time since they have heard such urgent demands for change, particularly in the realm of energy and environmental issues. The repeated phrase "so much is on the line" highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action before it is too late. The assertion that this is a "chance of a lifetime" emphasizes the rare opportunity we have to effect real change, and the idea that this change is not only important on a national level but also a global one suggests the far-reaching impact of our actions.

The lines "never in the field / of human conflict" serve to set the stage for the urgency of this call to action. The comparison to conflict implies that this is a battle that must be fought and that the stakes are just as high as they would be in a war. The fact that the singer cannot recall a time when such a demand for change was shouted out so loudly speaks to the unique moment we find ourselves in, where the urgency of the situation has become impossible to ignore.

Overall, the lyrics of "Never Before" serve as a rallying cry for those who recognize the urgent need for change in the face of environmental crises. The repeated refrains and urgent tone emphasize that the time for action is now, and that we must work together to effect meaningful change before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

It's been a long time
A significant amount of time has passed

so far as I recall
To the best of my memory

so much is on the line
There's a lot at stake

never in the field of human conflict
Throughout all of human history

The calls for the change are growin‘ ever louder
Increasingly, people are demanding change

never before the demand was shouted out that loud
The demand has never been so strongly expressed

It‘s been a while when the big crowd shouted out: phase out and turn off now
Some time ago, a large group of people demanded an immediate reduction and elimination of a certain energy source

voices, voices …
Many people expressing a demand for change

it‘s merely a matter of time
An inevitable outcome

A chance of a lifetime for an energy turnaround
An opportunity to make a significant change in the way we produce and consume energy

more than only a nationwide change a sign to the world
A global signal that change is necessary

It's been a while when there were voices way beyond the horizon
Voices of people beyond our immediate surroundings

It's been a while when people in a huge scale repeated an urgent request
A large number of people demanding change urgently

men and women boys and girls black and white young and old call and shout together
People of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds demanding change in unison

so much is on the line it‘s merely a matter of time
Very important issues at stake and an outcome that is inevitable

Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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