Astrix — Progressive Psytrance DJ & ProducerAstrix
Astrix is Israeli DJ and producer Avi Shmailov, raised in Tel Aviv after being born in the Georgian SSR to a Mountain Jewish family. He began DJing in 1995 with alternative and 1980s music, found trance in 1997 and started recording as Astrix that same year. His work developed from an earlier nitzhonot approach into progressive psychedelic trance, a sound that has made him a defining Israeli presence within the style.
After signing to HOMmega Productions in 2002, he released his debut album Eye to Eye, followed by Artcore, One Step Ahead, Red Means Distortion and He.art. One Step Ahead was issued by HOMmega as the first Astrix digital album on a USB flash drive, a notable format experiment at the time. His DJ career includes headline nights at Alexandra Palace, Brixton Academy, Pacha, Ministry of Sound, The City, Volume and Nox, alongside festival appearances at Dance Valley, SW4, Creamfields, Love Parade, UAF and Planeta Atlantida.
He launched the Trance for Nations mix series in 2010 and has worked with labels including HOMmega, Spiraltrax, Tokyo Productions, Plastik Park, Shamanic Tales and TIP.World. Astrix received DJ Mag Top 100 recognition in 2006 and 2007. With sets shaped by progressive psytrance and anthemic roots, he has brought a focused, high-energy trance identity to clubs and festival crowds.