Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral was packed this week with hundreds of Priests fans eager to enjoy a live preview of their new album.
Harmony, due out on 23 November, includes Christian favourites like “How Great Thou Art”, “Silent Night”, “Amazing Grace” and “You will never walk alone".
Their live rendition was joined by the Liverpool Cathedral choir and went down a storm with the overwhelmingly female audience.
If their contented faces were anything to go by The Priests are on their way to another huge hit - although it would be a remarkable feat to outdo their debut self-titled album which was only the fastest selling classical music album in the UK ever.
Perhaps it was the awe-inspiring cathedral setiing. Perhaps it was the dimmed lighting. Perhaps it was the natural charm of Father Martin O'Hagan, Father David Delargy and Father Eugene O'Hagan. Whatever it was, the warmth with which they sang well-worn numbers was soul-filling, peace-bringing, and utterly delightful.
Perhaps that's the key to their success. The formula is not new so don't expect anything "new" from their latest album as such. What marks them out instead from other classical singers singing traditional Christian songs is the utter sincerity with which they sing.
A studio album can never compare to a live performance set in the splendour of a cathedral but The Priests prove that songs sung with the love of God can stir any heart in any setting - in the home while doing the housework, in the car on the way to work, in the headphones during the morning jog.
Special guests at the live preview included pianist Ruth McGinley and soprano singer Margaret Keys. The performance will be shown on American TV network PBS in March 2010.
