Friday, February 28, 2020

Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter VI (2007) | Analysis. Fun Facts & Trivia

Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter VI (2007) album front cover

Gregorian - Masters of Chant: Chapter VI (2007)
Album front and back image covers

Gregorian – Masters of Chant: Chapter VI (2007)

Artist: Gregorian
Album: Masters of Chant: Chapter VI
Released: 2007
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, New Age
Producer: Frank Peterson

Overview

Released in 2007, Masters of Chant: Chapter VI continued Gregorian’s long-running and successful chant-meets-rock concept. By this sixth installment, the project had become a well-established brand across Europe, known for its deep male choral harmonies, cinematic production, and reinterpretations of iconic rock and pop songs.

Chapter VI expanded the repertoire with a mix of classic rock anthems and modern alternative hits, while maintaining the sacred, cathedral-inspired atmosphere that defined the series.

Album Credits

Core Team

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

Production

Produced in Germany
Released via Edel Records
Arranged with orchestral layering and studio programming

Tracklist

Kashmir (Led Zeppelin cover)
The Gift (The Velvet Underground cover – based on “Sweet Jane” themes in some editions)
One (U2 cover)
Dusk and Her Embrace (Cradle of Filth-inspired arrangement – in select editions)
Frozen (Madonna cover – alternate version)
Angels (Robbie Williams cover – alternate arrangement)
In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover – new version)
With or Without You (U2 cover)
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover)
Lady in Black (Uriah Heep cover – alternate version)
Blue Monday (New Order cover – alternate arrangement)

(Tracklists may vary depending on region and edition.)

Musical Style & Sound

Deep male chant-style harmonies
Epic orchestral arrangements
More classic rock focus than previous chapters
Dramatic pacing with cinematic textures

Compared to earlier albums, Chapter VI leaned more heavily into legendary classic rock material, giving the album a slightly grander and more epic tone.

Key Highlights

🎵 Kashmir

Led Zeppelin’s powerful rock epic reimagined with a solemn, ritualistic feel.

🎵 Stairway to Heaven

One of the most iconic rock songs ever recorded receives a slow, reverent choral treatment.

🎵 One

U2’s emotional ballad adapts naturally to Gregorian’s atmospheric style.

🎵 With or Without You

A spiritual reinterpretation of another U2 classic.

Fun Facts & Trivia

By 2007, Gregorian had sold millions of records worldwide, especially in Germany and Central Europe.
The album’s emphasis on classic rock reflected the enduring popularity of 1970s and 1980s material.
Live performances during this era became increasingly theatrical, incorporating elaborate lighting and dramatic staging.
Some tracks were newly arranged versions of previously covered artists, refining earlier interpretations.

Did You Know?

Gregorian concerts often feature both male choir sections and featured female soloists for contrast.
The Masters of Chant series had by this point become one of the most commercially successful classical crossover franchises in Europe.
The brand’s visual identity (monk robes and cathedral staging) became instantly recognizable.

Commercial Performance

Strong chart placements in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Continued Gold certifications in key markets
Supported by extensive European tours

Critical Reception

Praised for:

High production quality
Ambitious choice of classic rock material
Consistent atmospheric mood

Criticism:

Some reviewers felt the formula had become repetitive by the sixth chapter
Limited innovation compared to earlier releases

Despite some criticism, fans continued to support the project strongly.

Legacy

Masters of Chant: Chapter VI demonstrated that Gregorian’s concept remained commercially viable well into the late 2000s. It reinforced the project’s identity as a durable crossover act capable of adapting iconic rock classics into a sacred, chant-inspired framework.