The aural assault unleashed on Cosmic Trigger/2AM Visitis nothing short of a head cleansing catharsis of the best kind.Japan's Kohei-chang (AKA Filthy Dabo) uses homemade electronics andscrap metal to assault the senses on his third full length release.Ground Fault
Although the CD only release is split into two halves as if it were avinyl LP ("Side Cosmic Trigger" and "Side 2AM Visit"), it is very mucha unified work on which the even the track titles seem incidental. Oneof the highlights is the nearly 16 minute live workout "Brighter Than10,000 Cacophonous Suns." During this number, Kohei sounds as if he isrummaging through a pile of scrap metal while an overloaded microphoneproduces ear-splitting feedback trying to capture the action. Thecredit given to clearly audible "screaming and drunk noise fans"alludes to audience and performer having a grand old time wreakingsonic havoc together. "Rock Me," a track originally included on an ABBAtribute album, proves that Throbbing Gristle's Chris Carter is not theonly experimentalist with a fondness for the Swedish disco outfit.Filthy Dabo's admiration goes far enough to require him to end hisblistering feedback massacre 30 seconds before the end of the track, sothat he can whistle along to ABBA on the radio for its duration.Throughout the album he covers both ends of the sonic spectrum, asexemplified by the high pitched feedback and intense low end rumblethat are both prominent during "Rock Me." Moments of respite are fewthroughout the 43 minute set, but there are some sections of relativecalm. "Stabbed Straw Puppet" fades in slowly before the gradualaccumulation of harsh feedback loops commences. The final two minutesof album closer "2AM Visit" consists of the sound of water drippinginto a bucket. "Roulette" features samples of voices, a rewinding tapemachine, and other found elements juxtaposed with blasts of sharpnoise. This track stands out among the all-out noise tracks as havingan almost musique concrete feel. This use of different approachespoints to possible directions in which he could steer the project inthe future. This is not an album for all occasions, but is a perfectchoice for when one is the mood to be dominated by sound. 

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