Gregorian – Masters of Chant Chapter II (2001)
Artist: Gregorian
Album: Masters of Chant Chapter II
Released: 2001
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, New Age
Producer: Frank Peterson
Overview
Following the commercial success of Masters of Chant: Chapter I, Gregorian returned in 2001 with Chapter II, further refining their signature formula: male Gregorian-style choral vocals reinterpreting famous pop and rock songs with cinematic, sacred-inspired arrangements.
Produced by Frank Peterson, the album deepened the atmospheric sound while expanding the song selection to include alternative rock, pop ballads, and classic rock anthems. The project continued to gain strong popularity across Europe, particularly in Germany and neighboring countries.
Album Credits
Core Team
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Frank Peterson – producer, arranger
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Jan-Eric Kohrs – co-producer, engineering
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Gregorian Choir – male vocal ensemble
Production
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Produced and arranged in Germany
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Released through Edel Records
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Orchestration and programming handled by Peterson’s production team
Tracklist
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In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover)
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Join Me (HIM cover)
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Everybody Hurts (R.E.M. cover)
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Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd cover – alternate arrangement)
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Lady in Black (Uriah Heep cover)
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Heaven (Bryan Adams cover)
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Sacrifice (Elton John cover)
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Streets of Philadelphia (Bruce Springsteen cover)
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I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2 cover)
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Vienna (Ultravox cover)
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Fade to Grey (Visage cover – alternate version)
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The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
Tracklists may vary slightly depending on regional editions.
Musical Style & Sound
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Deep, resonant male choral harmonies
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Slow to mid-tempo atmospheric pacing
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Cinematic orchestration layered with ambient synth textures
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Sacred, cathedral-like ambiance
Compared to Chapter I, this album leans even more into melancholic ballads and emotional rock classics, enhancing the spiritual tone.
Key Highlights
🎵 In the Air Tonight
A dramatic reinterpretation of Phil Collins’ iconic hit, replacing the famous drum break with choral tension.
🎵 Join Me
Originally by Finnish gothic rock band HIM, this version emphasizes solemn harmonies and atmospheric depth.
🎵 Everybody Hurts
A powerful and emotional rendition that suits the Gregorian style particularly well.
🎵 The Sound of Silence
A natural fit for the project’s haunting, reverent sound.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The album capitalized on the growing popularity of gothic and alternative rock in early 2000s Europe.
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HIM’s “Join Me” was especially popular in Germany at the time, making it a strategic cover choice.
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Gregorian’s live performances began expanding internationally following this release.
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The production style became more polished and cinematic compared to Chapter I.
Did You Know?
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Gregorian became one of the best-selling German music exports in the classical crossover genre.
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The project was often marketed alongside Enigma and other mystical-themed acts.
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Despite the medieval aesthetic, the arrangements rely heavily on modern studio production techniques.
Commercial Performance
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Achieved Gold and Platinum certifications in multiple European countries.
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Strong chart placements in Germany and neighboring markets.
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Helped solidify Gregorian as a sustainable long-term music project.
Critical Reception
Praised for:
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High production quality
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Creative reinterpretations
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Emotional depth
Criticism:
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Some critics felt the formula was becoming predictable
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Purists again questioned the “Gregorian” authenticity
Nevertheless, fans embraced the album for its consistency and atmosphere.
Legacy
Masters of Chant Chapter II confirmed that Gregorian was not a one-album novelty, but a continuing series with strong commercial viability. It paved the way for further chapters that would expand into more diverse rock and pop material.
Album Rating
⭐ 7.5/10
A solid continuation of the concept. While less groundbreaking than Chapter I, it refined the formula and strengthened Gregorian’s identity in the classical crossover world.
Download Gregorian Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter I (2000)
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)
