Neuromotor's After Effect EP: A Psy-Trance Time Capsule from 2000
If you’re into electronic music, especially the wild and hypnotic world of psy-trance, Neuromotor’s After Effect EP is one of those hidden gems that deserves a second look. Released in 2000 via Turbo Trance Records and self-released under their own label, this project feels like a snapshot of France and Spain’s underground rave culture at the turn of the millennium. With Eric Fuster, Frederick-Ali Talaa, and Guillaume Dorson behind the knobs—and Talaa wearing multiple hats as writer, producer, and arranger—this EP packs a punch with its raw energy and trippy vibes.
The standout tracks for me are “Stabler Noize” and “After Effect.” Let’s break it down.
“Stabler Noize” hits hard right out of the gate. It’s got this gritty bassline that feels like it could rattle your teeth loose if you crank up the volume. The layers build steadily, throwing in these glitchy synth stabs that sound like they were ripped straight from some alien spaceship’s control panel. What sticks with me about this track is how unpredictable it feels—it keeps you on edge, like you’re waiting for the next sonic curveball. By the time the breakdown rolls around, it’s almost meditative, but then BAM, it slams back in harder than before. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna lose yourself on a dark dancefloor somewhere.
Then there’s the title track, “After Effect.” This one takes a slightly different approach, leaning more atmospheric while still packing plenty of punch. The intro lures you in with shimmering pads and subtle tribal percussion, creating this dreamy yet suspenseful vibe. But don’t get too comfortable—the drop comes outta nowhere, hitting you like a freight train wrapped in neon lights. There’s something addictive about how Talaa and co. balance chaos with clarity here. You can tell they knew exactly what buttons to push to keep listeners hooked without overloading them.
Artwork-wise, Sim nailed it. The cover art perfectly captures the chaotic beauty of the music—a mix of abstract shapes and vibrant colors that scream early 2000s psychedelia. It’s the kind of design that’d make you pick it up off a record store shelf just to see what madness lies inside.
Looking back, After Effect EP might not have set the charts ablaze, but it’s one of those releases that reminds us why we fell in love with psy-trance in the first place. It’s unapologetically experimental, dripping with personality, and crafted by people who clearly lived and breathed the scene.
And honestly? Listening to it now feels like finding an old mixtape in the attic. It’s nostalgic, sure, but also kinda refreshing. Like, who needs polished perfection when you’ve got tracks this fun and fearless? Props to Neuromotor for reminding us that sometimes, the best music comes from letting loose and embracing the weirdness.
Oh, and hey—if anyone reading this actually went to a rave in 2000 blasting these tunes, hit me up. I need stories.
