| Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 December 2005 | |||
| Genre | Post-rock, Neoclassical music, Electronic music | |||
| Length | 74:40 | |||
| Label | Human Highway Records | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Mono chronology | ||||
| ||||
| World's End Girlfriend chronology | ||||
| ||||
Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain is a collaborative studio album by Mono and World's End Girlfriend. It was originally released via Human Highway Records on 14 December 2005. [1] In 2006,it was re-released via Temporary Residence Limited. [2]
The project emerged shortly before Mono recorded their next major album,You Are There. [3] While Mono was known for expansive,guitar-driven crescendos,World's End Girlfriend brought electronic and orchestral sensibilities to the collaboration. [4] The album was recorded in multiple studios in Japan. [5]
Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain is structured as a five-part suite,with each track untitled (sometimes written as Part. 1,Part. 2,other times as Trailer 1,Trailer 2). to reinforce a sense of continuous,evolving narrative. [6] The album emphasizes musical restraint over explosive post-rock dynamics,featuring long instrumental passages,minimalistic arrangements,and gradual crescendos. [7]
World's End Girlfriend’s orchestral and electronic contributions provide a haunting,cinematic atmosphere. Themes explored in the album include loneliness,despair,helplessness,and profound sadness. [8] The final movement builds gradually to a massive crescendo before resolving quietly,reflecting the album's emotional arc. [9]
Critics describe the album as a meditation on existential grief. Its sparse,minimalistic passages allow for reflection,turning sorrow into something beautiful. The lack of track titles adds ambiguity,inviting individual interpretation. [10]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [11] |
| Brainwashed | favorable [12] |
| Dusted Magazine | mixed [13] |
| Exclaim! | favorable [14] |
| The Japan Times | favorable [15] |
| Stylus Magazine | A [16] |
Ian Mathers of Stylus Magazine gave the album a grade of "A",writing,"I'd say this is one of the finest 'imaginary soundtracks' ever released if I could just think of a film that wouldn't seem hideously overpowered by it." [16]
Shawn Dspres of The Japan Times commented that "Although broken down into distinct parts,the seamless transition between tracks makes the album play out like one extended,breathtaking piece." [15]
Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars,calling it "puzzling,bewildering and utterly beautiful." [11]
In February 2007,American webzine Somewhere Cold voted Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain No. 7 on their 2006 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame. [17]
The album is regarded as one of Mono's most introspective and genre-defying works. In 2025,it was reissued on vinyl for the first time in roughly 19 years,including a limited-edition iridescent gold vinyl. [18]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain Part.1" | 12:15 |
| 2. | "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain Part.2" | 13:36 |
| 3. | "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain Part.3" | 17:03 |
| 4. | "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain Part.4" | 12:24 |
| 5. | "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain Part.5" | 19:13 |
Credits adapted from liner notes.
Additional musicians
Technical
| |
| Studio albums |
|
| EPs |
|
| Remix albums |
|
| Compilation albums | |
| Live albums | |
| Collaborative albums |
|
| Split albums |
|
| Films | |
| Related articles | |
