A Dead Forest Index – Empty and Dark I Shall Raise My Lantern (EP)
9/10

Adam Sherry composes harrowing and goosebump-inducing music under the name A Dead Forest Index and plays this live with his equally talented artist brother Sam. Reverb-heavy drums and gently droning guitar wash throughout the EP. With heart-wrenched vocals outpouring poetic lyrics in pained delivery, Sherry produces an incredibly impressive, riveting and original listen. From the opening/title track’s eerie anguish to the more densely hypnotic grunge sound of Dust Caught In Light, his soft, angelic voice remains the highlight. Sherry has the uncommon ability to marry catchy riffs with untouched, otherworldly and original song writing ideas. His songs are beset with emotions, most notably anguish, and the songs are made with an ancient quality that seems to stem from a possible fascination with ancient folklore and storytelling. It has a hint of gypsy curse and impoverished traveler about it, as bells jangle softly and backing vocals (by Simon Gooding, who recorded the EP with Joe Talia at York Street Studios) sigh and organs howl faintly. It is akin to a religious experience in listen, with the underlying feeling of all of the songs being like an inexplicable, beautifully moving force. A strange flute calling in the end of final song Paint The Sixth is a perfect unexpected accompaniment. The only fault I can find with the whole EP is that it is too short. Three tracks long, it demands repeated listens as the stories unfold the more you hear them. The anguish and despair gradually wear away as the wash of beautiful music makes things clearer and ultimately so grand you cannot ignore it or leave it and must listen to it again. Maybe therein lies the curse; once you start listening to it you may never stop, such is the great quality of Sherry’s songs, and the unique aura he creates with each. Future releases from this upcoming Melbourne-based multi-media artist will be met with great excitement. Buy this EP! Visit www.myspace.com/adeadforestindex.
Sarah

 

Posted by Sarah Gooding under Album, Reviews
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