Gregorian chant on metal actually is original though...

Written by Karlabos on 22.11.2014 at 19:19

Gregorian chant on metal actually is original though...

Not hugely. Many bands across the genres have inserted in with varying degrees of success.

Even if it WAS original or uncommon in metal: simply adding something in to an otherwise uninspired album does not suddenly make it great music.


Hilarious review

Written by Susan on 22.11.2014 at 19:23

Written by Karlabos on 22.11.2014 at 19:19

Gregorian chant on metal actually is original though...

Many bands across the genres have inserted in with varying degrees of success.

I must have missed them =P Names please?
But I'd like those who do it more constantly and not only an interlude here and there

Written by Susan on 22.11.2014 at 19:23

Even if it WAS original or uncommon in metal: simply adding something in to an otherwise uninspired album does not suddenly make it great music.

Yeah that's the case here, as well as the case on every band trying to do gregorian chant I have checked.
That's why I say it's different and would be a good idea, because when you stop to think it haven't been done properly yet.

Anyone else get half way through the review before realising this isn't a review for the new Bloodbath record?

Written by Karlabos on 22.11.2014 at 19:31

I must have missed them =P Names please?
But I'd like those who do it more constantly and not only an interlude here and there
Yeah that's the case here, as well as the case on every band trying to do gregorian chant I have checked.
That's why I say it's different and would be a good idea, because when you stop to think it haven't been done properly yet.

I agree with Susan obviously. But to build on your post, I am not sure if what I have in mind is exactly Gregorian, but religious choirs have been used tons of times in nm for example. And some vocalists tried to recapture that feel of Gregorian chants. I am thinking of Kvohst or whatever is alias is, in Code:



Or in Void Of Silence (also Italian), the doom band. The frontman sings in a similar ways. I'm sure other people could mention tons of symphonic/gothic/neofolk/bm etc (really any band that's trying to get that holistic atmosphere) bands who used such chants, or were inspired by them; I'm just mentioning these off the top of my head.

In any way, these Gregorian chants felt a little forced and gimmicky.

Written by King Bonzo on 22.11.2014 at 21:20

Anyone else get half way through the review before realising this isn't a review for the new Bloodbath record?

Exactly! I even wanted to say wow! Ilham! Wow! I disliked the new vocalist so much but why so much bashing or giving 2 !!! for originality ?! But then I reached the part about Gregorian chants and Italians... so I felt relieved

Written by Ilham on 22.11.2014 at 21:22

I agree with Susan obviously. But to build on your post, I am not sure if what I have in mind is exactly Gregorian, but religious choirs have been used tons of times in nm for example. And some vocalists tried to recapture that feel of Gregorian chants. I am thinking of Kvohst or whatever is alias is, in Code:
Or in Void Of Silence (also Italian), the doom band. The frontman sings in a similar ways. I'm sure other people could mention tons of symphonic/gothic/neofolk/bm etc (really any band that's trying to get that holistic atmosphere) bands who used such chants, or were inspired by them; I'm just mentioning these off the top of my head.

In any way, these Gregorian chants felt a little forced and gimmicky.

Well, whenever I hear the word gregorian chant I expect those huge choirs of people singing/reciting in unison, with the help of the reverb and all which ends up making a rather soothing atmosphere.
But if what you were refering to is simply putting a doomy deep voice on a slow part of the song then I agree, it's overused =P

Written by Karlabos on 22.11.2014 at 21:45

Well, whenever I hear the word gregorian chant I expect those huge choirs of people singing/reciting in unison, with the help of the reverb and all which ends up making a rather soothing atmosphere.
But if what you were refering to is simply putting a doomy deep voice on a slow part of the song then I agree, it's overused =P

Well Gregorian chants don't have to be done by choirs. It's a reference to an order of monks that used to express their faith and devotion through a particular way of chanting, if I am not mistaken. A guest Gregorian chant performer was hired for this album, and he performs alone. The video I linked was just an example of how bands use that "holistic singing" the same way to convey that atmosphere, I was not implying Kvohst is a Gregorian singer .

I would have linked you to one of those interludes but I can't find an official source.

I don't understand the connection between being an italian band and using Gregorian chants, because Gregorian chant developed in western and central Europe and was not just an italian phenomenon. You put it like it was a stereotype, which is not. I'm not taking it personally, I'm just trying to understand your point. Anyway, I really agree with the rest of the review, very well-written, interesting to read and straight to the point

Another great review, I'll probably stay away from this band.

Written by [user id=5475] on 22.11.2014 at 22:14

I don't understand the connection between being an italian band and using Gregorian chants, because Gregorian chant developed in western and central Europe and was not just an italian phenomenon. You put it like it was a stereotype, which is not. I'm not taking it personally, I'm just trying to understand your point. Anyway, I really agree with the rest of the review, very well-written, interesting to read and straight to the point

Nah don't take it seriously, it's just that the label describes the band as taking inspiration from their cultural heritage to develop an anti-Christian theme. As you can see it was clearly caricatured and deformed in order to *drum roll* make a joke. I think that was obvious, wasn't it ? It could have been bm + Norwegian for instance.
Thank you for the compliments though .

Yeah, these guys should just leave the "Gregorian chants in metal" tactic to DSO

Wow. very review. excite. techdeath is kill. amaze.

Glad to see you consistently writing reviews. Very convincing, so I'll likely never listen to this.

Written by Karlabos on 22.11.2014 at 19:31

I must have missed them =P Names please?
But I'd like those who do it more constantly and not only an interlude here and there

I'm failing on pt. 2 (the consistent use throughout the band's discography), but what immediately falls into my mind is: THIS and THIS.

And this. Not metal though.

I agree on the review though. Took one spin on the album and then deleted it. So boring.