The soundscapes of experimental music makers such as Hazard, Fennesz and Biosphere can induce extremes of

sensation. I found aspects of each live act painfully exhilarating, violent yet serene and hellish yet uplifting.

Hazard opened the concert with ear-splitting metallic tones of fireworks interwoven with abstract video stills.

Fennesz's tortuous performance blasted my eardrums to the point of writhing agony while video screens showed lovely images of ebbing water.

The night only received redemption by Biosphere, whose beautiful and intense synthesized sounds merged with reflecting rays of light to uplift the spirit rather than bludgeon the senses.

Gardner Arts Centre, University Of Sussex, Falmer Friday