Palace of Mirrors
{{for|the book by Margaret Peterson Haddix|Just Ella#Companion book}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Palace of Mirrors
| type = studio
| artist = Estradasphere
| cover = Palace of Mirrors album.jpg
| released = September 19, 2006
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = {{bulleted list|The Studio, Jason's House|Pine Forest Studio}}
| genre = {{bulleted list|Experimental rock|progressive rock|avant-garde metal|symphonic metal}}
| length = 59:00
| label = The End
| producer = {{bulleted list|Jason Schimmel|Tim Smolens|Timba Harris}}
| prev_title = Passion for Life
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |title=Palace of Mirrors – Estradasphere |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/palace-of-mirrors-mw0000467020 |website=AllMusic |access-date=20 June 2024}}
| rev2 = Maelstrom.nu
}}
Palace of Mirrors is the fourth and final full-length album by Estradasphere. It was released on September 19, 2006. The album is composed entirely of instrumental tracks.
The album also signifies a significant change in the band's lineup, with the departure of saxophonist and vocalist John Whooley. This departure is reflected in the album's sound de-emphasis of horns (only being a part of orchestral backing played by session musicians) and vocals.
Track listing
{{track listing
|title1=Title
|length1=0:34
|writer1=Jason Schimmel, Tim Smolens
|title2=Palace of Mirrors
|length2=3:41
|writer2=Schimmel
|title3=A Corporate Merger
|length3=8:16
|writer3=Smolens, Timba Harris, Adam Stacey
|title4=The Terrible Beautypower of Meow
|length4=4:01
|writer4=Kevin Kmetz, Smollens, Harris
|title5=Colossal Risk
|length5=4:36
|writer5=Smollens, Harris
|title6=The Unfolding Pause on the Threshold
|length6=4:17
|writer6=Smollens, Harris
|title7=Smuggled Mutation
|length7=4:48
|writer7=Traditional
|title8=Six Hands
|length8=1:12
|writer8=Schimmel
|title9=The Debutante
|length9=2:44
|writer9=Schimmel
|title10=Flower Garden of an Evil Man
|length10=6:16
|writer10=Smollens, Harris, Stacey
|title11=Those Who Know...
|length11=5:18
|writer11=Smollens, Harris
|title12=Palace of Mirrors (Reprise)
|length12=6:20
|writer12=Smollens, Harris, Schimmel, Trey Spruance
|title13=The Return
|length13=6:19
|writer13=Smollens, Harris, Schimmel
|total_length=59:00
}}
Personnel
;Estradasphere
- Jason Schimmel – acoustic and electric guitars, bass, organ, lap-steel guitar, keyboards
- Adam Stacey – accordion, piano, clavinet, melodica, organ, synthesizers
- Tim Smolens – double bass, bass, guitars, keyboards, harmonica
- Kevin Kmetz – guitars, shamisen
- Timba Harris – violin, trumpet, percussion, mandolin, electric guitars
- Lee Smith – drums {{small|(tracks 1, 3–8, 10–13)}}
;Additional musicians
- Aria DiSalvio – cello {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 13)}}
- Kaethe Hostetter – viola {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 13)}}
- Sarah Hart – violin {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 13)}}
- Dan Robbins – double bass {{small|(tracks 2, 9)}}
- Mike Shannon – drums {{small|(tracks 2, 9)}}, additional drums {{small|(track 5)}}
- Shelley Phillips – English horn {{small|(track 2)}}
- Issac Anderson – orchestral percussion {{small|(track 2)}}
- Charlie Gurke – baritone saxophone {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 7, 11)}}
- Scott Harris – bass trombone {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 7, 11)}}
- Luke Kirley – trombone {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 7, 11)}}
- John Thomas – tuba {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 7, 11)}}
- Jennifer Cass – harp {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 12)}}
- William Winant – timpani {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 11)}}, glockenspiel {{small|(tracks 4, 5)}}
- Robin Anderson – trumpet {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 7, 11)}}
- Adam Stacey, Bob Hathaway, Chip Yamada, Jason Schimmel, Tim Smolens, Timba Harris – male choir {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 11)}}
- Shashona Brooks – vocals {{small|(tracks 4, 5)}}
- Renata Bratt – cello {{small|(tracks 5, 11)}}
- Elena Doroftei – viola {{small|(tracks 5, 11)}}
- Ben Blechman – violin {{small|(tracks 5, 11)}}
- Aaron Seeman – accordion {{small|(track 7)}}
- Fabrice Martinez – violin {{small|(track 7)}}
- Eric Lesch – French horn {{small|(track 9)}}
- Joel Ford – saxophone {{small|(track 9)}}
- Markos Sowlakis – clarinet, bass clarinet {{small|(track 12)}}
;Production
- Jason Schimmel – production, engineering {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13)}}, mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 6, 8, 12, 13)}}
- Tim Smolens – production, engineering, mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 3–8, 10–13)}}
- Timba Harris – production, engineering, mixing {{small|(tracks 3–8, 10–13)}}
- Andrew Kapner – mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 9))}}
- Justin Phelps, Steve Armstrong – analog mixing
- Chris Parsons – engineering
- John Cuniberti – mastering