Cargo Records

Obsession

The collected, restored and remastered recordings of India’s best-known psychedelic rock ensemble from 1973 to 1977, and the story behind their genesis. Atomic Forest stand as the only Indian psychedelic / hard rock band that managed to record an album : ‘Obsession 77’. It’s mix of blistering, fuzzy rock and synth-lead funk inspired collectors the world over to fork out thousands of dollars for original copies of this (until recently) unknown platter.

Part of the interest certainly stemmed from its liberal doses of searing fuzz guitar; part of it sprung from the oddity of it all: India, a country that had, quite literally, churned out tens of thousands of albums during the heydays of psyche and hard-rock’s, only produced this one, lonely psychedelic album; part of it sprung from the album’s rarity.

Unknown for years, ‘Obsession 77’ suddenly became a top want on every global-rock collector’s short-list. Over the past four years, Now-Again Records have followed Atomic Forest’s sounds – and now they’ve struck paydirt to issue the ‘Obsession’ set with the full participation of founder member and vocalist Madhukar Chandra Dhas and lead-guitarist Abraham Mammen. This anthology collects songs from ‘Obsession 77’, the band’s follow up ‘Hit Film Themes’, and unreleased studio and live recordings from Atomic Forest band members.

Dhas’ extensive archives of photos and ephemera add weight to this anthology, which is also the first thorough investigation into India’s 1970s psychedelic rock scene that, until now, has been shrouded in secrecy and rumour, clouded in a druggy haze. Atomic Forest’s story stands in for the untold stories of many of India’s underground bands, remembered vividly by those who witnessed their performances; bands that often self-released homemade cassette recordings that have now been lost to time.

Though Atomic Forest’s extant recordings are few, those which they etched to vinyl captured a powerful energy. That energy will spark you interest fuel the fires of your imagination. Includes a full colour booklet of photos and memorabilia with extensive liner notes and quotes from band members.