Gregorian – The Dark Side (2004)

Artist: Gregorian
Album: The Dark Side
Released: 2004
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, Gothic rock crossover
Producer: Frank Peterson

Overview

Released in 2004, The Dark Side marked a thematic shift for Gregorian. Rather than being part of the numbered Masters of Chant series, this album focused specifically on darker rock and gothic material, embracing a heavier and more dramatic atmosphere.

Produced by Frank Peterson, the album reinterprets songs from gothic rock, alternative rock, and darker pop artists, blending Gregorian’s signature male choral style with moody, cinematic arrangements.

It is often considered one of the most cohesive and stylistically focused releases in Gregorian’s catalog.

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 through Edel Records
Orchestration and programming handled by Peterson’s team

Tracklist

Engel (Rammstein cover)
Frozen (Madonna cover)
The Power of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover – alternate arrangement)
Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush cover)
My Immortal (Evanescence cover)
Blue Monday (New Order cover)
Fade to Grey (Visage cover – alternate version)
Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode cover)
Wish (Nine Inch Nails cover)
The Dark Side

(Track listings may vary by edition.)

Musical Style & Sound

Dark, brooding atmospheres
Slow to mid-tempo arrangements
Deep male choral harmonies
Gothic and industrial rock influences
Cinematic orchestral layers

Compared to earlier releases, The Dark Side emphasizes gothic rock and industrial classics, making it one of Gregorian’s most intense and moody albums.

Key Highlights

🎵 Engel

Rammstein’s industrial metal anthem transformed into a solemn and dramatic chant interpretation.

🎵 My Immortal

Evanescence’s gothic ballad naturally fits Gregorian’s somber choral tone.

🎵 Enjoy the Silence

Depeche Mode’s classic receives a haunting, cathedral-like reimagining.

🎵 Running Up That Hill

Kate Bush’s emotional track gains an epic, spiritual dimension.

Fun Facts & Trivia

The album capitalized on the early 2000s popularity of gothic and industrial rock.
It was one of the first Gregorian releases to strongly embrace heavier alternative material.
Some tracks feature subtle electronic elements to reflect the original songs’ style.
The darker theme influenced Gregorian’s live stage design, incorporating deeper lighting and dramatic visuals.

Did You Know?

“Engel” became one of Gregorian’s standout live tracks during tours in Germany.
The album demonstrated how flexible the Gregorian formula could be when applied to industrial and gothic material.
It helped attract younger alternative rock listeners to the project.

Commercial Performance

Performed well in Germany and Central Europe
Continued Gregorian’s steady Gold-level sales in key markets
Strengthened the project’s touring presence

Critical Reception

Praised for:

Cohesive dark atmosphere
Strong song selection
Successful adaptation of gothic rock material

Criticism:

Some critics felt the chant style did not always fit heavier industrial songs
The formula was still seen as repetitive by some reviewers

Overall, it was viewed as a creative thematic expansion of the project.

Legacy

The Dark Side remains one of Gregorian’s most distinct releases outside the Masters of Chant series. It showed that the project could adapt to darker, heavier material while maintaining its identity.