Bellinger was a founding member of the post hardcore band, playing guitar and backing vocals for them from 1997 until 2006. During this time he worked with the band on their first three albums and their early EPs, with his last work being 2006 third LP ‘Mercy’.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Bellinger’s friends and family.

Surprising everyone with their new album, ‘Prey’, Planes Mistaken For Stars have picked up right where they left off with their 2006 LP, ‘Mercy’. While not as down-tuned and focused on low-end chaos as it’s predecessor, ‘Prey’ retains all the dirt and grit of what makes Planes Mistaken For Stars the band they are. Whether it’s the bombastic opening track, ‘Dementia America’, or the gravel-laced battle cry of ‘Riot Season’, it signals a textbook return.

Vocalist Gared O’Donell sounds as powerful as ever with his unique, whiskey-laced drawl that carries the punk ‘n’ roll drive of ‘Fucking Tenderness’ and ‘She Who Steps’. Musically they hark back to the more melodious element of their formative years, while retaining the piss and vinegar attitude that came with age during the growth of Planes Mistaken For Stars.

For the most part, the band have created a Frankenstein’s monster of their previous output and fired up the chargers to create ‘Prey’. There is still plenty of dissonance, particularly in the slower, brooding track, ‘Clean Up Mean’, which sits perfectly alongside the haunting, acoustic-led ballad, ‘Black Rabbit’. It’s a far more vulnerable side to Planes Mistaken For Stars, but it is yet another notch in the diverse pallet they possess.

As always, the composition is strategically disjointed to create a dark, twisted atmosphere. Inspired by O’Donell’s isolation, and subsequent disdain at his surroundings during the writing of ‘Prey’, it is poured into the mood of the album. The candle of ‘Enemy Blinds’ slowly burns before exploding at its finish. It bleeds into ‘Alabaster Cello’, carried by the wailing drums of Mike ‘Mongo’ Ricketts until they can take no more underneath an erratic hail of noise.

While Planes Mistaken For Stars didn’t need to make an album to please anyone, ‘Prey’ feels like the exorcism of 10 years worth of demons that were building up during their time away. They chose to rid themselves of the darkness inside in the only way Planes Mistaken For Stars know: plug in, turn up loud, and raise as much hell as possible.

GLEN BUSHELL

The album is released on October 21st via Deathwish Inc, and is the follow up to their 2006 LP, ‘Mercy’.

Pre-orders are available now, and you can listen to ‘Prey’ in full by clicking the link below.

Planes Mistaken For Stars stream ‘Prey’ via Noisey

It is the third single to be taken from their forthcoming album, ‘Prey’, following on from ‘Fucking Tenderness’, and ‘Riot Season’.

The album marks the first release from Planes Mistaken For Stars since their 2006 album, ‘Mercy’, and is due via Deathwish Inc. on October 21st.

Pre-orders for ‘Prey’ are available now, and you can listen to ‘Clean Up Mean’ by clicking the link below.

Planes Mistaken For Stars stream ‘Clean Up Mean’ via CLRVYNT

It follows on from ‘Fucking Tenderness’, which was the first single to be released from their forthcoming album, ‘Prey’.

The album marks the first release from Planes Mistaken For Stars since their 2006 album, ‘Mercy’, and is due via Deathwish Inc. on October 21st.

Pre-orders for ‘Prey’ are available now, and you can listen to ‘Riot Season’ by clicking the link below.

Planes Mistaken For Stars share ‘Riot Season’ via Stereogum

Containing all the qualities that define this great band, including elements of post hardcore, 70s riffs and stoner metal, this is sure to whet the appetite of fans.

The new record will be released on the 14th October via Deathwish, Inc. Pre-orders are available now on the label’s website.

Listen to ‘Fucking Tenderness’ by Planes Mistaken for Stars at The A.V. Club.

Due for release on the 21st October via Deathwish, Inc., it is the band’s first album of newly recorded material in over a decade.

More info shall be released soon. In the meantime you can check out a teaser video on the band’s website.