Forest Swords
Liverpool's enigmatic Forest Swords makes textured, gauzy music as indebted to the region's rich musical heritage as it is the windswept and beautiful coastal environment from which it was born. The result is something completely organic, sounding like a mix of Massive Attack's sample strewn claustrophobia, King Tubby's sweating dub, with hints of Ennio Morricone's legendary guitar soundscapes.
Clattering beats, thunderous grooves and cavernous melodies rub shoulders with hip hop/ R&B shuffles and heavy drone to create a smeared, blurred take on electronic music that sounds weighty, chilling and triumphant. Forest Swords' deep epics were first seen on EP ‘Dagger Paths', released via No Pain In Pop/Olde English Spelling Bee in 2010.
Album ‘Engravings', released in summer 2013 via Brooklyn electronic label Tri Angle (Holy Other, Evian Christ, The Haxan Cloak), saw Barnes refine and streamline his unique sound to huge critical acclaim, receiving praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, The Guardian, Mixmag and FACT.
His shows, as seen at festivals across Europe including All Tomorrow's Parties, CTM and Unsound, utilise propulsive soundscapes, visuals and live bass, combining to create a striking, immersive, and euphoric live set.
