Band: A Dead Forest Index
Date: 15/11/11
Venue: The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, VIC
Reviewer: Tommy
A Dead Forest Index consists of brothers Sam and Adam Sherry, who produce a dark/melodic/moody brand of indie rock, which could affect even the most cheery persons persona in a matter of just a few bars. Listening to tracks online before we went down had me expecting more than a duo, but thanks to some well used vocal effects, guitarist and lead singer Adam’s already impressive voice is given a whole new dimension.
The beginning of the set began with a melodic drum beat and long drawn out vocals which set the tone for the set, however the end of the first track must have caught a few off guard as when it was finished it was met with a silent pause. Now generally when a song is greeted with silence it is an indication that the song is…. well… shit, but in this case it said more about the mood it cast upon the room; as if the silence was in reverence to the moving sound which these boys create (not to get too wanky about it).
At the end of the next couple of tracks the crowd had settled into the mood of the set and greeted the finishes with subdued applause, not to say people were not enjoying the set, it just seemed a fitting response to such haunting vocals and hypnotic drum beats, and it was clear people were not about to leave the room.
The next track ‘Anchor in the Hands’ built up as the last couple of tracks to finish with a solo vocal which had at least one gig goer closing his eyes to better appreciate the reverbed, harmonised vocals, which threatened to bring the room to tears. By now you could see everyone in the crowd staring, almost mesmerized by this voice, waking only to show their appreciation with a clap at the end of each track.
When ‘Distance’, was played, with its heavy drum beat and hypnotic riff, it had almost everyone bobbing their heads and you could see the crowd getting into the show almost as much as can be expected for the style of music.
With the thematic drum beats, vocal solo’s and fade out finishes the rest of the set was as eerily captivating as the beginning. The whole set was as emotionally charged as a gig is likely to get, using its simple structures to also create silences, which could be felt as much as the noise, and it left everyone with a reminder that the darker side of life can still be beautiful.
When playing songs with a simple structure you should do it well, and these boys show how it should be done and are worthy of a ‘Damn these guys are tight!’. Its not the usual thing I would go out to see, perhaps more suited to being listened to at home alone when the mood is right but I have no trouble recommending for you guys to go check this act out. Seeing them live will give you a better appreciation for their music, as the boys live sound is as good, if not better, than the recordings.
A Dead Forest Index are in the middle of a residency at The Old Bar and, as if you needed more incentive, the next gig is free!! I also recommend you get down early to check out the supports as we got the chance to catch a set by musician/visual artist ‘Great Earthquake’, who is also an artist best appreciated live.
Scale of Awesomeness Rating: Damn these guys are tight! (see the rating scale here)
Upcoming gigs:
23 Nov at The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
30 Nov at The Old Bar, 74-76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
17 Dec at Hells Kitchen, 201 Centre Place, Melbourne with Sarah Chadwick
Facebook/Myspace/Soundcloud links:
http://www.facebook.com/adeadforestindex
http://www.myspace.com/adeadforestindex
http://soundcloud.com/a-dead-forest-index
FREE 4 TRACK EP “ANTIQUE” AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE: http://adeadforestindex.bandcamp.com/





