Gregorian - The Dark Side - Released Year 2004
Tracklist front / back album covers
Gregorian Full Discography collection download rar torrent
Hurt (Nine Inch Nails) (6:20)
My Immortal (Evanescence) (5:26)
The Four Horsemen (Aphrodite's Child) (4:51)
Unbeliever (4:18)
Where the Wild Roses Grow (featuring Amelia Brightman) (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue) (4:51)
Close My Eyes Forever (Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne) (6:00)
More (The Sisters of Mercy) (6:05)
Uninvited (featuring Annette Stangenberg) (Alanis Morissette) (4:25)
The Raven (The Alan Parsons Project) (5:28)
Gregorian Anthem (6:07)
Ave Satani (The Omen) (Jerry Goldsmith) (3:27)
The End (The Doors) (2:06)
In the Shadows (The Rasmus) (4:29)
Gregorian – The Dark Side (2004): A Choral Twist on Rock Classics
Released in 2004, The Dark Side is the fifth studio album by Gregorian, the German band known for transforming popular rock and pop songs into Gregorian chant-inspired arrangements. With its fusion of medieval choral harmonies, ambient instrumentation, and modern songcraft, the album presents a unique listening experience, bridging centuries of musical tradition with contemporary hits.
The Dark Side explores darker, more introspective themes, both lyrically and musically, distinguishing it from Gregorian’s earlier albums, which often focused on romantic or uplifting material.
Band Background and Formation
Gregorian was formed in 1991 by Frank Peterson, a German music producer and arranger, after his work with Enigma and other new-age projects. The concept of Gregorian involves:
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Adapting modern songs into Gregorian chant style
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Using a male choir as the primary vocal vehicle
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Adding lush, ambient instrumental layers for atmosphere
The group became popular in Europe for their distinctive reinterpretations of rock, pop, and even metal songs, bringing medieval choral aesthetics into a modern context.
Musical Style and Sound
The Dark Side is characterized by:
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Gregorian chant-style vocals performed by a male choir
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Dark, ambient, and orchestral instrumentation
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Slow, solemn tempos emphasizing dramatic reinterpretation
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Atmospheric layering of choir, synths, and reverb-heavy percussion
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Creative adaptation of popular songs into a neo-medieval style
The album emphasizes mood, atmosphere, and reverence, offering listeners a cinematic and immersive choral experience.
Tracklist Overview
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Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton cover)
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My Immortal (Evanescence cover)
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Losing My Religion (R.E.M. cover)
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Somebody to Love (Queen cover)
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Angels (Robbie Williams cover)
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In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover)
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Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
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Creep (Radiohead cover)
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Dust in the Wind (Kansas cover)
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With or Without You (U2 cover)
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Silent Lucidity (Queensrÿche cover)
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Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day cover)
The album features reinterpretations of darker, introspective rock songs, giving them a solemn, ethereal character.
Standout Tracks
“My Immortal”
Gregorian’s rendition transforms Evanescence’s gothic ballad into a haunting choral meditation, highlighting the emotional depth of the original lyrics with medieval-style harmonies.
“Nothing Else Matters”
A Metallica classic reimagined as a slow, reverent chant, with layered vocals creating a sense of grandeur and introspection.
“In the Air Tonight”
Phil Collins’ atmospheric drum intro is replaced with Gregorian-style vocal drones and ambient orchestration, emphasizing mystery and dramatic tension.
Lyrical Themes
Although Gregorian performs covers, the thematic focus of The Dark Side includes:
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Loss, grief, and longing (Tears in Heaven, My Immortal)
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Introspection and existential reflection (Creep, Nothing Else Matters)
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Romantic and spiritual yearning (With or Without You, Angels)
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Emotional isolation and melancholy (Boulevard of Broken Dreams)
The medieval chant-style arrangements amplify the dramatic and reflective qualities of these songs, giving them a timeless aura.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Gregorian often reinterprets songs from various genres, including rock, pop, and metal, all in Gregorian chant style.
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The Dark Side is considered one of the darker, more emotionally intense albums in their discography, hence the title.
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Frank Peterson, the band’s founder, previously worked on Enigma’s debut album, influencing the spiritual and ambient aesthetic of Gregorian.
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Many tracks were rearranged to highlight choir harmonies, sometimes diverging significantly from the original melody to fit the chant style.
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Gregorian tours frequently, performing tracks live with choir and instrumental accompaniment, creating a cinematic concert experience.
Did You Know?
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Gregorian has released multiple themed albums, including the Masters of Chant series, of which The Dark Side is a darker thematic continuation.
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“Losing My Religion” was transformed from an upbeat alternative rock song into a solemn, echoing chant, emphasizing lyrical depth.
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The Dark Side helped solidify Gregorian’s reputation as Europe’s leading choral-rock fusion project.
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The album appealed to both fans of rock music and new-age / classical crossover listeners, bridging genres in a unique way.
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Despite performing covers, Gregorian’s arrangements are original compositions in terms of harmony, texture, and vocal layering, giving songs a distinct, otherworldly feel.
Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums
The Dark Side found success in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with Gregorian’s niche crossover appeal to both classical and pop audiences.
Top-selling and influential albums by Gregorian include:
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Masters of Chant (1999) – Debut in the chant style
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Masters of Chant II (2001) – Continued reinterpretations
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The Dark Side (2004) – Darker, introspective thematic focus
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Masters of Chant III (2002) – Mix of romantic and ambient reinterpretations
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Masters of Chant Chapter VI (2007) – Further refinement of the style
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Gregorian’s The Dark Side contributed to a unique musical niche:
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Popularized choral reinterpretations of modern songs
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Influenced other classical crossover projects
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Expanded appreciation for medieval-inspired vocal harmonies in popular music
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Showcased the adaptability of rock and pop compositions to new contexts
The album remains a reference point for neo-medieval and choral reinterpretations of contemporary music.
Most Famous Songs Covered on The Dark Side
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My Immortal (Evanescence)
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Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton)
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Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
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Losing My Religion (R.E.M.)
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In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins)
These tracks exemplify Gregorian’s skill at transforming rock and pop hits into ethereal, meditative experiences.
Full Discography (Selected Albums)
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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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The Dark Side (2004)
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Masters of Chant Chapter V (2006)
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Masters of Chant Chapter VI (2007)
Band Timeline
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Formed: 1991, Germany
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Years active: 1991–present
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Status: Active, releasing themed albums and touring internationally
Keywords
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