Dark Soho is a pioneering psytrance project known for fusing dark, atmospheric trance with heavy rock, metal, and industrial energy. Formed in Israel in 1998, the project brought distorted guitars, aggressive sound design, and driving, “scary” rhythms into the trance world, helping shape what later became known as dark psytrance.
The original lineup was Omer Kadosh (Rizo), Sagiv Boxer, and Zeev Diukman. Rizo and Boxer had previously worked under the name Soho. During a visit to Erez Eisen’s studio (Infected Mushroom), they met Zeev, who was producing as Dark Entity. The three joined forces and launched the project as Dark Soho.
Early releases gained attention quickly. One of the first Dark Soho tracks, “The Fusion” (1999), set the tone for the project’s heavy, hybrid approach. The group soon developed its signature sound across a run of defining albums:
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Sun Spot (BNE Records, 2000)
Featuring the widely known track “Depths of Emotions,” a standout release that became a staple in sets and festivals worldwide. -
Combustion (Alchemy Records, 2002)
A harder, more advanced step forward, including tracks like “Save Me God” and the title track “Combustion,” known for its heavy feel and headbanging momentum.
After the success of these releases, Dark Soho relocated to London and continued writing and performing while signed to Alchemy Records, playing major UK venues and events.
In 2004, Dark Soho released Light in the Dark, expanding the palette again and experimenting with new influences. The album includes “Long Way Home,” featuring a collaboration with sitar player Anoushka Shankar, blending trance, rock/metal textures, and Indian instrumentation into a powerful crossover moment.
From 2005–2006, the project slowed as members returned to personal commitments and other paths. Due to ongoing demand for the Dark Soho sound, the project later returned, with Rizo based in Sweden and bringing Dark Soho back to touring and new releases.
In later years, Dark Soho continued evolving through EPs, compilation appearances, and a hybrid-era direction, including a hybrid album released in 2018 (BMSS Records).
Dark Soho remains respected as a boundary-pushing act in psychedelic music, known for raw energy, emotional darkness, and the unique impact of guitars and rock attitude inside trance.