SOL NEGRO was formulated during 1997 in Seattle, Washington by guitarist José Luis Rodriguez (a.k.a. 'Sangreth'), A Mexican musician previously having fronted ABSSESSION, BLOODSOAKED, ANARCHUS and IN MEMORIUM as while as having association with MORBOSIDAD. Initially he would be joined by guitarist Sean Wood and ex-SINDIOS drummer Alejandro Rayguza..

First studio sessions in 2001 were released as the cassette demo 'The Passage Without Light', a limited release of 200 copies. Musicians featured alongside Rodriguez and Rayguza would be lead guitarist Edward Rock, from SINDIOS, BLOODSOAKED, PACTUM and AK 47, rhythm guitar player Brice LeClercq, of NIGHTRAGE and DISSECTION, plus bassist Rodolfo Riveron, from Mexican acts THE CHASM, CENOTAPH and SINDIOS. Subsequently the group employed guitarist Andrew Lawrence.

In 2002 the project returned with Lifeless Woods Productions issuing the promotional CD 'Hellish Furnace', this set including the ANARCHUS cover version 'Gone With the Flames' with a guesting Pete Jay of WORMWOOD on vocals. At this juncture SOL NEGRO stood as a trio involving José Luis Rodriguez with Terry McCorriston, of SCORCHED EARTH, NAZGUL and SUICIDE CULTURE, on bass and Brian Stephens (a.k.a. 'Dantven' or 'Cedron'), from INQUINOK, SERPENS AEON and SEMESUS, on drums. Andrew Lawrence featured on the band photograph but did not perform on the recordings. A subsequent cassette version of 'Hellish Furnace', restricted to 200 copies, omotted 'Gone With The Flames'.

A collaboration between Lifeless Woods Productions and Moribund Cult spawned a 2007 EP entitled 'Of Darkness And Flames'. Fred Phillips ('Vytok'), of HYLEBOS and STAGNANT WATERS, had contributed to the songwriting process. Former INQUINOK man Tyburn supplied drums with Carl on bass.