Matthew Barnes, an electronic producer hailing from the United Kingdom, makes music under the moniker Forest Swords. In 2010 he dropped his first EP, Dagger Paths, to wide acclaim. His dark sound had him running in the witch-house circles, but Forest Swords is somewhat unclassifiable. Though he is on the premier witch-house label, Tri Angle, Barnes’ take on ghosty hip-hop is full of sludgy noise and pensive drones. Last year, Forest Swords’ debut LP, Engravings, took Barnes’ further from the light. “Thor’s Stone” is built on a pounding drum beat and muted piano while a dulled out fog horn buzzes in and out. The track could function as a cloud-rap instrumental if it were less cluttered. In the track’s end section, Barnes warps a choir sample to an indistinguishable effect. Most of Forest Swords’ work is removed from light but there is a slight brightness to “Thor’s Stone.”

Forest Swords play with How To Dress Well on Saturday at U Street Music Hall. Tickets are $15.