Friday, February 28, 2020

Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter IX (2013) | Analysis. Fun Facts & Trivia

Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter IX (2013)

Album front and back image covers

Gregorian – Masters of Chant: Chapter IX (2013)

Artist: Gregorian
Album: Masters of Chant: Chapter IX
Released: 2013
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, New Age
Producer: Frank Peterson

Overview

Released in 2013, Masters of Chant: Chapter IX is the ninth installment of Gregorian’s flagship series, continuing their signature formula of male Gregorian-style choir interpretations of rock, pop, and alternative songs.

Chapter IX showcases modern hits alongside classic favorites, maintaining Gregorian’s cinematic and atmospheric production while updating arrangements for a contemporary audience. By this stage, the series had established itself as a mainstay of the classical crossover genre in Europe and beyond.

Album Credits

Core Team

Frank Peterson – producer, arranger, concept
Jan-Eric Kohrs – co-producer, engineer
Gregorian Choir – male vocal ensemble

Production

Produced in Germany
Released via Edel Records
Orchestration, programming, and mixing handled by Peterson’s production team

Tracklist

Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover – updated arrangement)
Bring Me to Life (Evanescence cover – updated arrangement)
Hurt (Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash cover – updated arrangement)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day cover – updated arrangement)
Angels (Robbie Williams cover – updated arrangement)
Fix You (Coldplay cover – updated arrangement)
Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden cover – updated arrangement)
In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover – updated arrangement)
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover – updated arrangement)
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover – updated arrangement)
My Immortal (Evanescence cover – updated arrangement)

Tracklists may vary slightly depending on region and edition.

Musical Style & Sound

Deep male Gregorian-style choir harmonies
Epic orchestral and cinematic arrangements
Combination of classic rock, alternative, and modern pop hits
Emotional, slow-to-mid-tempo pacing with dramatic dynamics

Compared to previous chapters, Chapter IX refines existing arrangements and blends classic favorites with slightly newer material, emphasizing clarity, depth, and polished production.

Key Highlights

🎵 Bring Me to Life

Evanescence’s hit continues to be a fan favorite, enhanced with refined choral harmonies.

🎵 Hurt

The haunting reinterpretation balances sorrowful emotion with cathedral-like acoustics.

🎵 Run to the Hills

Iron Maiden’s anthem receives a dark, atmospheric choral treatment.

🎵 Stairway to Heaven

Maintains its solemn and epic reinterpretation, a recurring highlight in the series.

Fun Facts & Trivia

Chapter IX updates many previous tracks, giving fans fresh arrangements of familiar favorites.
The album coincided with extensive European touring, often performed with cathedral-inspired stage visuals.
By 2013, Gregorian had maintained a consistent fanbase for over two decades, making the series one of the most enduring classical crossover franchises.
The album emphasizes a balance of classic rock and modern ballads, keeping the series relevant to contemporary audiences.

Did You Know?

Gregorian’s choir recordings are often layered to simulate the acoustics of cathedral spaces, giving each track a monumental feel.
Chapter IX includes updated production techniques, making the sound more cinematic and polished than earlier chapters.
Fans often compare live performances of Chapter IX tracks to earlier chapters to hear the evolution of arrangements.

Commercial Performance

Strong chart performance in Germany and Central Europe
Supported by live tours across Europe
Continued steady sales, reinforcing the series’ popularity

Critical Reception

Praised for:

High-quality production and refined arrangements
Emotional depth of tracks
Maintaining consistency in style and mood

Criticism:

Largely updates of previous tracks, with few completely new songs
Some critics felt the formula was becoming predictable

Legacy

Masters of Chant: Chapter IX demonstrates Gregorian’s ability to refresh their classic formula, combining fan-favorite songs with modern production values. It further solidified the Masters of Chant series as a durable and commercially successful classical crossover franchise.