Gregorian – Masters of Chant: Chapter V (2006)
Artist: Gregorian
Album: Masters of Chant: Chapter V
Released: 2006
Label: Edel Records
Genre: Gregorian chant, Classical crossover, New Age
Producer: Frank Peterson
Overview
Released in 2006, Masters of Chant: Chapter V marked the long-awaited continuation of Gregorian’s flagship series. After exploring darker themes and releasing compilation material, this album returned to the core formula: male Gregorian-style choral interpretations of famous pop and rock songs, presented with cinematic production and cathedral-like atmosphere.
By this time, Gregorian had become a well-established international touring act, and Chapter V reflected a more polished, grandiose production style aimed at large-scale live performances.
Album Credits
Core Team
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Frank Peterson – producer, arranger, concept
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Jan-Eric Kohrs – co-producer, engineering
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Gregorian Choir – male vocal ensemble
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Additional orchestration and programming by Peterson’s production team
Production
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Produced in Germany
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Released via Edel Records
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Recorded with layered orchestration and studio programming
Tracklist
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Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd cover)
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Where the Streets Have No Name (U2 cover)
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Behind Blue Eyes (The Who cover)
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Hurt (Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash cover)
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Bring Me to Life (Evanescence cover)
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Fields of Gold (Sting cover)
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Into the West (Annie Lennox cover)
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The Last Unicorn (America cover)
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The Power of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover – new arrangement)
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Fix You (Coldplay cover)
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The Rose (Bette Midler cover)
(Tracklist may vary slightly by region or special edition.)
Musical Style & Sound
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Deep male choral harmonies
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Epic, cinematic orchestration
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More contemporary rock selections compared to earlier chapters
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Balanced mix of emotional ballads and atmospheric rock anthems
Chapter V incorporated more modern alternative rock and cinematic ballads, reflecting mid-2000s mainstream tastes while keeping the sacred aesthetic intact.
Key Highlights
🎵 Comfortably Numb
Pink Floyd’s psychedelic classic receives a slow, solemn reinterpretation.
🎵 Hurt
The haunting track popularized by Johnny Cash translates naturally into Gregorian’s somber style.
🎵 Bring Me to Life
Evanescence’s gothic hit blends well with Gregorian’s dramatic choral sound.
🎵 Where the Streets Have No Name
U2’s anthem gains a spiritual, cathedral-like atmosphere.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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This album coincided with expanded European touring, with increasingly theatrical stage productions.
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Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life” reflected the ongoing popularity of gothic rock influences.
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The album featured some of Gregorian’s most emotionally powerful ballad interpretations.
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By 2006, the Masters of Chant series had become one of the longest-running classical crossover franchises.
Did You Know?
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Gregorian concerts during this era often included dramatic lighting, pyrotechnic accents, and cathedral visuals.
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The production leaned more toward cinematic orchestral layering than earlier chapters.
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Chapter V helped reintroduce the series after a brief focus on compilations and thematic albums.
Commercial Performance
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Strong chart placements in Germany and Central Europe
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Continued Gold certifications in select territories
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Supported by extensive European touring
Critical Reception
Praised for:
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Emotional song choices
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High production quality
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Strong adaptation of modern rock material
Criticism:
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Some critics felt the concept was predictable by its fifth installment
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Formula seen as safe rather than innovative
Nevertheless, fans embraced the album, and it performed well commercially.
Legacy
Masters of Chant: Chapter V reinforced Gregorian’s identity as a durable and commercially viable crossover act. It demonstrated that the concept could adapt to newer rock material while maintaining its signature atmosphere.
Album Rating
⭐ 7.5/10
A polished and emotionally resonant continuation of the series. While not groundbreaking, it remains a strong and cohesive entry in the Gregorian catalog.
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)
Gregorian - Christmas Chants & Visions (2008)
