Best known for his production work, he has also performed as a musician, as one of the two constant members of This Mortal Coil (along with Ivo Watts-Russell), providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, the Hope Blister.
Fryer started out at Blackwing Studios in south London, working with bands on the 4AD, Mute, Rough Trade and Beggars Banquet record labels, including Depeche Mode, Fad Gadget and Cocteau Twins.
His work with the Cocteau Twins, helping to develop their ethereal and ambient sound, led Watts-Russell to recruit Fryer as his musical and producing partner for This Mortal Coil.
In 2014, Fryer started collaborating with Louise Fraser in the band Muricidae, which released two EPs in 2015, Tales from a Silent Ocean and Tears Are Stronger Than Waves.
In 2016, Fryer launched a music project named Black Needle Noise, collaborating with vocalists from many genres of popular music, including Jarboe (Swans), Ledfoot, Elena Alice Fossi of Kirlian Camera, Betsy Martin of Caterwaul, Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly, Delerium), Mimi Page, Jennie Vee, Sivert Høyem and Beca.