Album front and back image covers
Gregorian – Epic Chants (2012)
Artist: Gregorian
Album: Epic Chants
Released: 2012
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, New Age
Producer: Frank Peterson
Overview
Released in 2012, Epic Chants is a compilation album that brings together some of Gregorian’s most grandiose, cinematic, and dramatic tracks from the Masters of Chant series and other releases. The album emphasizes epic soundscapes, choral intensity, and orchestral grandeur, appealing to fans of both Gregorian’s classical crossover work and cinematic, emotionally powerful music.
Unlike the numbered Masters of Chant albums, this release is curated around epic and dramatic arrangements, highlighting the most theatrical and intense moments from the project’s catalog.
Album Credits
Core Team
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Frank Peterson – producer, arranger, concept
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Jan-Eric Kohrs – co-producer, engineer
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Gregorian Choir – male vocal ensemble
Production
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Produced and arranged in Germany
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Released via Edel Records
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Full orchestration and programming by Peterson’s production team
Tracklist (Highlights)
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Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover – epic version)
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Hurt (Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash cover – epic version)
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Engel (Rammstein cover – epic version)
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Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover – epic version)
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Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day cover – epic version)
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Bring Me to Life (Evanescence cover – epic version)
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Angels (Robbie Williams cover – epic version)
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Fix You (Coldplay cover – epic version)
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In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover – epic version)
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My Immortal (Evanescence cover – epic version)
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The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover – epic version)
Some editions may vary slightly in tracklist or include bonus material.
Musical Style & Sound
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Deep male Gregorian-style choir harmonies
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Fully orchestrated and cinematic arrangements
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Slow-to-mid-tempo with grand, atmospheric build-ups
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Focused on epic emotional impact and dramatic presentation
Compared to standard Masters of Chant albums, Epic Chants emphasizes the most theatrical, large-scale, and emotionally intense interpretations, suitable for cinematic listening experiences.
Key Highlights
🎵 Nothing Else Matters
A more epic, cinematic version than previous releases, emphasizing cathedral-like acoustics.
🎵 Hurt
Heightened drama and intensity turn this track into one of Gregorian’s most powerful interpretations.
🎵 Stairway to Heaven
A solemn and majestic choral arrangement, highlighting Gregorian’s epic sound.
🎵 Bring Me to Life
The epic version elevates the gothic-rock classic with orchestral layering and dynamic choral work.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Epic Chants is part of a trend where Gregorian repackages and highlights the most theatrical tracks for fans of cinematic and grandiose arrangements.
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The album appeals to fans looking for powerful, emotionally charged music without necessarily following the full Masters of Chant chronology.
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Live performances often include full orchestral accompaniment, emphasizing the epic arrangements featured on this compilation.
Did You Know?
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The album showcases Gregorian’s ability to turn rock and pop hits into sweeping cinematic experiences.
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Tracks like Hurt and Nothing Else Matters became staples in theatrical live performances, often with full lighting and visual effects.
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Epic Chants is designed for dramatic listening experiences, often used as background music for cinematic or meditative settings.
Commercial Performance
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Released mainly in Germany and Europe with moderate chart performance
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Sold steadily due to the curated selection of fan-favorite epic tracks
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Strengthened Gregorian’s reputation for cinematic and dramatic choral music
Critical Reception
Praised for:
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Epic, cinematic soundscapes
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Emotional depth and dramatic arrangements
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Consistency in production quality
Criticism:
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Largely repackaged material, with few original tracks
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Some reviewers felt the album did not add new interpretations to the series
Legacy
Epic Chants highlights Gregorian’s most dramatic and emotionally impactful work, making it ideal for both longtime fans and newcomers seeking a cinematic, choral experience. The album demonstrates the versatility of Gregorian’s chant-meets-rock formula in an epic, theatrical context.
Album Rating
⭐ 7.5/10
A powerful and dramatic compilation showcasing Gregorian’s epic arrangements. While not offering much new material, it is perfect for fans who want the most cinematic and emotionally intense versions of Gregorian classics.
Download Gregorian Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter I (2000)
Gregorian - Masters of Chant Chapter II (2001)
Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter III (2002)
Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter IV (2003)
Gregorian - The Dark Side (2004)
Gregorian - The Masterpieces (Best of CD and Live DVD) (2005)
Gregorian - Christmas Chants & Visions (2008)
