2013 Psych Fest deluge survivors, the Black Ryder are scarcely the same band that carved out 2009’s Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride, goth-tinged garage-rock replaced for the follow-up with ethereal doom. Their debut hinted at this metamorphosis in the dreamlike “Outside,” but as Australia-via-L.A. core duo Aimee Nash and Scott Von Ryper swap lead vocals, their psych influences have never been clearer than on The Door Behind the Door, with brief swerves into gospel (“Throwing Stones”) and maudlin lullaby (“Until the Calm of Dawn”). While bookend instrumentals – dour cosmic prelude “Babylon” and the mournful strings of “(Le Dernier Sommeil) The Final Sleep” – resonate, the vocals are wan and the production too polished. Maybe live grit will stir them bones. (Sat., 8.30pm, Levitation Tent)

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This article appears in May 8 • 2015.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.