MUCK by HECTORINA

Muck, the fourth full-length from North Carolina’s Hectorina. This album is at once insanely heavy and not the least bit heavy at all. “What the hell does that mean?” you ask. Well…Hectorina’s music isn’t even remotely metal — they’ve been compared to bands like Radiohead, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Spoon — and yet Muck feels more visceral and raw than than most of the metal albums we get pitched. Maybe that’s because the band wrote the album during the vicious, heartbreaking 2016 election cycle; they say that “Muck explores repetition, despondence, and trying to find peace of mind in this murky modern America,” and the record’s entire vibe certainly feels reflective of our current political state. So, like we said: Muck may not have anyone screaming about death and destruction, but it’s still heavier than Hell. We highly recommend it!
--- Metal Sucks (2018)

Thumbing through a stack of records, someone coming across the cover of Hectorina’s Muck for the first time may mistake it for a metal album. The black background with heavily stylized text, on top of the album name itself, project a very dark and dense image. Although the band flirts with some of the hallmarks of the genre, including heavy distortion and an emphasis on atmosphere, the latest album from the Charlotte trio is definitely more of a post-punk/experimental rock record. Hectorina has been around for six years and has accomplished a substantial amount in that time. They have released four full-length albums (including Muck), two EPs, and even worked on transforming one of their records, Collywobble, into a fully fledged theatrical production. Their latest work emits the confidence of such a seasoned group, as the trio works their way through some complicated, epic works (closing track “Smoke Stack Smoke Stack” clocks in at over eight minutes). The group gels together as one cohesive unit, as the bass and drums maintain the groove, and the guitar provides licks that establish the mood. Lacking much conventional song structure the tracks meander, ebb and flow, creating a sense of unpredictability and improvisation. “Our future’s bleak, isn’t it?” questions lyricist Dylan Gilbert on opening track “Ellipsis.” The track builds with a frenetic energy that is carried throughout the album. The rhythm section gets gradually louder and more vibrant, and the vocals more shrill and erratic. This sense of unease continues onward, even during some of the more jubilant sections of the album. In a truly magical moment, the end of “Crown of Holly” finds the guitars ramping up the distortion while playing a repetitive descending riff with angelic harmonies repeating the word “sprawling” over the top. The band plays with some contrasting styles on Muck, from bouncy and funky “Lighting the Lanterns,” to pop-rock “Patience vs. Progress,” to experimental “Smoke Stack Smoke Stack.” Most of the tracks on this record find Hectorina unable to stay stagnant. Almost every song finds a way to shock the listener with abrupt changes, which keeps the audience entertained and engaged. This type of songwriting is truly risky and ambitious but the payoffs are substantial. Although tending to stay in dark, moody themes, they are able to move with agility from heavy, plunking riffs to soaring, high-energy motifs. Hectorina has been a leading force in the Charlotte rock scene for a while now, and Muck exemplifies exactly why they deserve to hold that position. The band is powerful on this album and maintains an attention to their craft that keeps even their most lengthy songs from becoming a bore. Despite the images that the title may conjure, Muck is actually filled with lots of alluring moments and never leaves you feeling like you’re stuck in the mud.
--- Mitchell Franklin / CLTure (2018)

Calling to mind the best indie and alt-rock bands from the 1990s, Hectorina seamlessly filters these flavors into a sound uniquely their own. They have performed with many high-profile acts including Sylvan Esso, Blitzen Trapper, and The Ataris, and even created a rock opera Collywobble. They have also appeared at Hopscotch Music Festival, CMJ Music Marathon, Indie Grits Film Festival and more events.
--- Ghost Cult Magazine (2018) 

Dylan Gilbert has made records since he was a kid. His band Hectorina's upcoming album, "Muck" (out later this year), hints at hard-earned maturity with introspection and a bit of INXS-style funk. It's also a lesson in how to make math rock seem laid-back.
--- Courtney Devours / Charlotte Observer (2018)

"Charlotte’s multifaceted songwriter-producer-magician Dylan Gilbert conjures incredible music ranging from the chiming embracing / questioning pop of When Did Everything Change? (2024) to the clangorous / minimalist vision quest through the wasteland I’ll Be the Lakebed (2020)."
— Queen City Nerve (2025)

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