Released 16 years ago today
The Dark Side of the Chant
Gregorian · 2010
66 min · 13 tracks · new age music
A haunting fusion of medieval chant with contemporary rock, creating a transcendent sonic experience that bridges old and new worlds.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
O Fortuna — This track serves as a powerful opener, combining the dramatic intensity of Carl Orff's original piece with Gregorian's signature vocal harmonies, setting the tone for the entire album.
-
→
Bring Me to Life — A reinterpretation of Evanescence's hit, this track effectively blends ethereal chants with modern rock instrumentation, showcasing Gregorian's ability to recontextualize contemporary songs within their distinctive style.
-
→
My Heart Is Burning — This original composition stands out with its emotional depth and haunting melody, encapsulating the thematic essence of longing and desire present throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively merges traditional chant with modern rock, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a powerful orchestral arrangement of 'O Fortuna', setting a dramatic tone that persists throughout.
- Each track features layered vocal harmonies that blend Gregorian chant with modern rock instrumentation, creating a unique sound texture.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, particularly in the transitions from verses to choruses.
- The last three tracks maintain a slower tempo, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting harmonies for deep reflection
- dynamic flow with emotional peaks
- captivating blend of sacred sounds
- uplifting moments for introspective thoughts
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Merges medieval chant with contemporary rock, showcasing a new direction in sound.
- Career context
- Released in 2010, The Dark Side of the Chant marked Gregorian's continued exploration of blending Gregorian chant with modern rock elements. This album followed their successful 2006 release, Masters of Chant Chapter VI, which established their unique crossover sound. By this time, the group had solidified its identity within the new age and symphonic rock genres.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 O Fortuna 4:20
- 2 Stripped 4:09
- 3 All I Need 5:39
- 4 Hell's Bells 5:42
- 5 Born to Feel Alive 4:25
- 6 Morning Dew 5:17
- 7 My Heart Is Burning 6:58
- 8 Bring Me to Life 5:31
- 9 Dark Side 5:04
- 10 Frozen 6:07
- 11 Black Wings 4:18
- 12 Lucifer 4:39
- 13 Dark Angel 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.