Forest Swords

Forest Swords is the moniker of British producer, composer, and artist Matthew Barnes, hailing from The Wirral in the United Kingdom. Emerging in the early 2010s, Forest Swords quickly garnered critical acclaim for his distinctive fusion of dub, electronica, experimental, and ambient music, blending atmospheric field recordings with haunting melodies and fractured rhythms. His debut EP "Dagger Paths" and subsequent albums such as "Engravings" and "Compassion" established a signature sound marked by ghostly textures and emotive soundscapes, reflecting a deep connection to the ancient landscapes and rugged coastlines of his home region.

Over the years, Barnes has expanded his artistic practice beyond music, contributing to film, contemporary dance, and multimedia art projects, and collaborating with a diverse array of artists including Massive Attack and choreographer Kenneth Kvarnström. Renowned for his evocative, cinematic production style and innovative approach to sampling and composition, Forest Swords continues to push the boundaries of electronic music while captivating audiences and critics worldwide.