Album front and back image covers
Gregorian – Sadisfaction (1991)
Artist: Gregorian
Album: Sadisfaction
Released: 1991
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Pop, Eurodance, New Age (early project phase)
Producer: Frank Peterson
Overview
Sadisfaction (1991) is the debut album by Gregorian, long before the project became famous for its Gregorian chant-style covers of pop and rock songs. At this early stage, Gregorian was essentially a pop/dance studio project created by Frank Peterson, who would later become known for producing Enigma and Sarah Brightman.
Unlike the later Gregorian albums featuring male choirs and medieval-inspired arrangements, Sadisfaction leans heavily into early 1990s pop, dance beats, and atmospheric synth textures, reflecting the musical trends of that era.
The album features vocals by Susana Espelleta (often credited as “Susana”), giving it a very different identity from the chant-based Gregorian sound that would define the group later.
Album Credits
Main Contributors
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Frank Peterson – producer, keyboards, programming
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Susana Espelleta – lead vocals
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Michael Cretu – involvement in production/creative direction (associated with the Enigma sound)
Production
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Produced by Frank Peterson
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Released via Edel Records
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Recorded in Germany
Tracklist
(Track listings may vary slightly depending on edition.)
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So Sad
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Once in a Lifetime
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Be
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O Fortuna
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Heaven Is You
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Mirror of Love
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Sadisfaction
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Join Me
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Love Is...
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Angels
Some versions include remixes or alternate mixes typical of early 90s dance releases.
Musical Style & Sound
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Strong Eurodance and early 90s pop influence
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Synth-driven arrangements
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Atmospheric textures reminiscent of early Enigma-style production
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Female lead vocals instead of the male Gregorian choir used in later albums
The album reflects a transitional period in European pop music where dance beats met new-age and mystical elements.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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This album has no connection to the later Gregorian chant concept the band became famous for in the late 1990s and 2000s.
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Frank Peterson later transformed Gregorian into a chant-based project starting with Masters of Chant (1999).
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The project was originally conceived as a studio-based pop act, not a touring choral ensemble.
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The mystical aesthetic was inspired by the popularity of Enigma’s MCMXC a.D. (1990).
Did You Know?
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Many fans of later Gregorian albums are surprised to learn that Sadisfaction sounds nothing like the medieval choir covers the group later produced.
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The album is considered a collector’s curiosity among Gregorian fans.
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After this release, the Gregorian project was essentially paused and later reinvented entirely.
Commercial Performance
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The album had moderate success in parts of Europe, especially within dance and pop circles.
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It did not achieve the international recognition that later Gregorian releases would gain.
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No major international awards were associated with this release.
Critical Reception
At the time, the album was seen as a competent early 90s pop/dance effort, though not groundbreaking. In retrospect, it is viewed more as a prototype phase of a project that would later find massive success under a completely different concept.
Album Rating
⭐ 6.5/10
Sadisfaction is an interesting historical footnote in Gregorian’s career. While musically rooted in early 90s pop trends rather than Gregorian chant, it shows the creative foundation that producer Frank Peterson would later refine into a globally recognized concept.
Gregorian – Complete Band Profile
🎼 Band Overview
Gregorian is a German musical project created in 1999 by producer Frank Peterson. The group is famous for blending Gregorian chant-style vocals with modern pop and rock songs, transforming hits by bands like Metallica, Evanescence, Coldplay, and U2 into dramatic, choir-based arrangements.
The project became internationally successful through its long-running album series “Masters of Chant.” Gregorian is known for atmospheric live performances featuring candlelit stages, monk-style robes, and cinematic arrangements.
👤 Founder
Frank Peterson — Producer & Creator
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Born in Germany.
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Former collaborator of Enigma’s Michael Cretu.
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Visionary behind the concept of mixing medieval-style chant with contemporary music.
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Has produced for artists such as Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli.
👥 Members
Gregorian is not a traditional fixed band. It operates as a rotating choir ensemble of classically trained singers and musicians assembled for recording sessions and tours.
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Typically features 8–10 male vocalists
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Occasionally includes female guest vocalists
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Touring lineup may vary by region and year
💿 Discography (Selected Albums)
Gregorian has released over 20 albums, mostly within the Masters of Chant series:
🎶 Masters of Chant Series
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Masters of Chant (1999)
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Masters of Chant II (2001)
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Masters of Chant III (2002)
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Masters of Chant IV (2003)
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Masters of Chant V (2006)
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Masters of Chant VI (2007)
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Masters of Chant VII (2009)
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Masters of Chant VIII (2011)
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Masters of Chant IX (2017)
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Masters of Chant X (2023)
Other Notable Releases
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The Dark Side (2004)
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Christmas Chants (2008)
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Epic Chants (2012)
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Pure Chants (2013)
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Holy Chants (2020)
The project has achieved multiple Gold and Platinum certifications across Europe.
🎵 Most Popular Songs (Gregorian Versions)
Gregorian is known for covering famous songs in chant style. Popular tracks include:
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Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
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Bring Me to Life (Evanescence cover)
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The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
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Hallelujah
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Moment of Peace (original track)
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With or Without You (U2 cover)
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Losing My Religion (R.E.M. cover)
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Viva La Vida (Coldplay cover)
Their version of “Moment of Peace” is one of their signature original compositions.
💰 Commercial Success
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Over 10 million albums sold worldwide
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Strong chart performance in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe
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Successful global tours including Europe, Asia, and Latin America
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Their live shows often sell out large theaters and arenas
The Masters of Chant albums are the project’s highest-grossing releases.
⭐ Musical Style
Gregorian’s music blends:
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Medieval Gregorian chant vocal techniques
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Orchestral arrangements
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Rock instrumentation (guitars, drums, keyboards)
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Ambient and cinematic production
The result is a dramatic, atmospheric reinterpretation of modern hits.
🧠 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎶 Did You Know?
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The original idea for Gregorian actually started in 1990 as a side project but was reimagined in 1999 with a more authentic choir approach.
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Despite the name, Gregorian does not perform traditional church liturgical chants — most songs are pop/rock covers.
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The singers do not always perform in Latin; many songs retain English lyrics.
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Their stage shows often feature theatrical lighting, monks’ robes, and cathedral-like visuals.
🌍 Legacy & Impact
Gregorian carved out a unique niche by creating a crossover between sacred-sounding music and modern pop culture. While not a traditional rock band, they have influenced the classical crossover genre and helped popularize chant-inspired arrangements in mainstream music.
Their dramatic reinterpretations have introduced rock songs to entirely new audiences.
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)
