Helstrip started out making trance music while working for the computer games developer Manic Media.

[1] Whilst living in Chipping Norton, on the Oxfordshire border, he recorded "Synaesthesia" with a home studio.

This version, known as "Synaesthesia (Fly Away)", peaked at number 28 in the UK Singles Chart and was featured in the 2001 film The 51st State.

The project was launched with AmplifydMusic which created a large interactive following via social media and support of Helstrip's production work.

Publication magazine Mixmag quoted Steve Helstrip "Setting the bar ridiculously high ... 9/10" As The Thrillseekers: As Rapid Eye: As Insigma: As En-Motion: As Hydra: As Morpheus: As The Thrillseekers: As En-Motion: As Rapid Eye: