Stoner metal bands aren’t expected to progress, and there’s nothing shameful about being good at commingling psych and doom metal. Local trio the Well reaffirms its mastery of the genre on second full-length Pagan Science. “Black Eyed Gods” and “One Nation” demonstrate the pure pleasure of mating heavy riffs with savory melody, while “Drug From the Banks” tweaks the formula with high hallucinogen consumption. Co-leads Ian Graham and Lisa Alley also perfect their patented vocal blend. A bonus track cover, Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Guinnevere,” turns David Crosby’s hippie ballad into a hard rock anthem. Simple but effective.

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This article appears in November 18 • 2016.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.