A record that's got a bit of a shift in the classic Cactus lineup - as the group's still driven strongly by the work of Carmine Appice on drums and Tim Bogert on bass, but get guitar power from Werner Fritzschings, who's a pretty amazing player - next to some added keyboards from Duane Hitchings, and vocals from Peter French - a singer who's ballsy power might be even more in line with the group than their previous lead singer! The album's got an unusual approach in that side one was recorded live, side two in the studio - each with a nicely different flavor as a result.

With a mixture of members from Vanilla Fudge, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and the Amboy Dukes, it's hard to believe that Cactus didn't really succeed in their time. Often derided for being second-rate boogie rock, the band simply did what it did, and part of the allure of the style is its sloppy, second-rate nature. This 1971 release may not see the band at their peak, but it surely showcases the occasionally thundering rhythm section of Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice. Why a song like "Token Chokin'" was never a hit and why it has yet to be embraced by the classic rock-loving public is a complete mystery. The song is some of the most heels-up, thundering, so-brainless-it's-genius rock that has ever been to tape. It's complete with big guitars, big sing-alongs, and a bass-and-drum combo that could knock out windows. Somebody needs to revive this track…

One Way… Or Another (1971) was the second studio outing to feature the incipient incarnation of supergroup Cactus, comprised of Vanilla Fudge rhythm section Carmine Appice (drums) and Tim Bogert (bass), as well as former Amboy Dukes lead vocalist Rusty Day (vocals/mouth harp), and Jim McCarty (guitar) from Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels and the Buddy Miles Express. Even as their debut was ostensibly rawer, they retained the same amp'ed-up electric blues reminiscent of early Grand Funk Railroad and Foghat. The more polished outcome heard on their sophomore effort is undoubtedly the direct result of assistance from recording engineer extraordinaire Eddie Kramer and their upgraded digs at the recently completed Electric Lady Studios, which they inhabited shortly after the passing of the facilities' owner, Jimi Hendrix…

"Temple Of Blues II - All-Stars" by Cactus is a compelling journey into earthy, electrified blues with a classic rock edge. Rooted in the raw energy that made Cactus a cult favorite, this release celebrates the power of riff-driven grooves, soulful vocals and extended, guitar-heavy jams. Expect thick, overdriven tones, hard-hitting rhythms and an atmosphere that feels like an intimate, sweat-drenched club show where every solo pushes the temperature higher. The track selection focuses on slow-burning blues, shuffling mid-tempo numbers and explosive up-tempo pieces, all executed with a veteran band's sense of feel and dynamics. It's a disc tailored for listeners who want their blues to be gritty, loud and unapologetically live-sounding rather than polished or overly produced…

America’s Led Zeppelin returns with a thunderous sequel that expands the raw blues-rock vision of 2024’s Temple Of Blues with even more fire, swagger, and authority! Original Cactus drummer Carmine Appice anchors the album with his unmistakable power, groove, and feel, driving every track and reaffirming his status as one of the most influential drummers in rock history! Fan-favorite contributors to the original TOB are back as well including Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Dee Snider, and Pat Travers, joined by an all-new wave of heavy hitters including Steve Morse, Eric Gales, Tracii Guns, Joe Lynn Turner, Rudy Sarzo, Alex Skolnick, and a whole lot more!

Cactus may have never amounted to anything more than a half-hearted, last-minute improvised supergroup, but that don't mean their eponymous 1970 debut didn't rock like a mofo. The already quasi-legendary Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of Bogert and Appice may have provided the backbone of the band's business cards, and soulful, ex-Amboy Duke Rusty Day brought the voice, but it was arguably former Detroit Wheels guitarist Jim McCarty who was the true star in the Cactus galaxy, spraying notes and shredding solos all over album highlights such as "You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover," "Let Me Swim," and, most notably, a manic, turbocharged version of "Parchman Farm." The fact that Cactus chose to tackle this classic blues song just a year after it'd been blasted into the fuzz-distortion stratosphere by Blue Cheer betrays - at best - a healthy competitive spirit within the early-'70s hard rock milieu…

One of the baddest, meanest, most unsung heroes of classic rock, Cactus, recreate their greatest moments with the help of their many admirers and acolytes! Includes founding Cactus members, drummer Carmine Appice and guitarist Jim McCarty, joined by the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Dee Snider, Pat Travers plus members of Gov’t Mule, Vanilla Fudge, Living Colour, Vixen and more!

One of the baddest, meanest, most unsung heroes of classic rock, Cactus, recreate their greatest moments with the help of their many admirers and acolytes! • Includes founding Cactus members, drummer Carmine Appice and guitarist Jim McCarty, joined by the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Dee Snider, Pat Travers plus members of Gov't Mule, Vanilla Fudge, Living Colour, Vixen and more! • Will be heavily promoted far and wide with a full concept video for "Evil" that features video performances by the guests Dee Snider & Dug Pinnick as well as Appice and McCarty!

One Way… Or Another (1971) was the second studio outing to feature the incipient incarnation of supergroup Cactus, comprised of Vanilla Fudge rhythm section Carmine Appice (drums) and Tim Bogert (bass), as well as former Amboy Dukes lead vocalist Rusty Day (vocals/mouth harp), and Jim McCarty (guitar) from Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels and the Buddy Miles Express. Even as their debut was ostensibly rawer, they retained the same amp'ed-up electric blues reminiscent of early Grand Funk Railroad and Foghat. The more polished outcome heard on their sophomore effort is undoubtedly the direct result of assistance from recording engineer extraordinaire Eddie Kramer and their upgraded digs at the recently completed Electric Lady Studios, which they inhabited shortly after the passing of the facilities' owner, Jimi Hendrix.

This two-CD collection is a companion volume to Fully Unleashed: The Live Gigs (2004) and contains the Cactus (1970), One Way. . . Or Another (1971), Restrictions (1971) and 'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972) LPs and associated extras. The initial aggregate was a supergroup of sorts, with both Carmine Appice (drums) and Tim Bogert (bass) having been the formidable rhythm section behind Vanilla Fudge, Rusty Day (vocals) hailing from the Amboy Dukes, and Jim McCarty (guitar) late of Mitch Ryder's backing ensemble the Detroit Wheels. Even though Cactus was overshadowed by Led Zeppelin, they created their own blues-based fusion, rivalling the likes of MC5 in terms of sheer sonic intensity. While their debut included fiery reworkings of Mose Allison's "Parchment Farm" and Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover," some of the best material consists of the band's compositions. Among them are the ballad "My Lady From South of Detroit," the heavy rocker "Let Me Swim" and the languid bluesy "No Need to Worry." Barely Contained: The Studio Sessions (2004) also highlights three outtakes from the first album, an original thrasher titled "Sweet Little 16," as well as "The Sun Is Shining" and "Rumblin' Man." The latter originally surfaced on the single-disc Cactology: The Cactus (1996) compilation.

Four studio albums from the legendary Cactus recorded from 1970 to Plus a host of bonus tracks. A real treat for fans of blues rock, proto-stoner rock and proto-metal.

The plan was for the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice to join with guitar god Jeff Beck and his singer Rod Stewart in a supergroup of sorts. The plan was derailed when Beck had a motorcycle accident that incapacitated him for 18 months. Stewart then joined pal Ron Wood in the revamped Faces (and pursued a somewhat lucrative solo career), leaving Bogert and Appice to find alternates for their dream band. They recruited guitarist Jim McCarty from Mitch Ryder's disassembling Detroit Wheels, and singer Rusty Day from Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes. One can only wonder what might have been…

'70s classic rock legends return with a smashing new album that balances powerful, driving rockers with more complex and heady album tracks! The band is still led by iconic drummer Carmine Appice alongside founding vocalist Jimmy Kunes with special guest appearances from original guitarist Jim McCarty and bassist Pete Bremy! Features a killer cover of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" with co-lead vocals by current Cactus guitarist Paul Warren who made his recording debut on The Temptation's 1972 smash hit version of the song!

’70s classic rock legends return with a smashing new album that balances powerful, driving rockers with more complex and heady album tracks! The band is still led by iconic drummer Carmine Appice alongside longtime member Jimmy Kunes on vocals and Randy Pratt on harmonica with special guitar appearances by original guitarist Jim McCarty and bassist Pete Bremy! Features a killer cover of “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” with co-lead vocals by current Cactus guitarist Paul Warren who made his recording debut on The Temptation’s 1972 smash hit version of the song!

Cactus may have never amounted to anything more than a half-hearted, last-minute improvised supergroup, but that don't mean their eponymous 1970 debut didn't rock like a mofo. The already quasi-legendary Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of Bogert and Appice may have provided the backbone of the band's business cards, and soulful, ex-Amboy Duke Rusty Day brought the voice, but it was arguably former Detroit Wheels guitarist Jim McCarty who was the true star in the Cactus galaxy, spraying notes and shredding solos all over album highlights such as "You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover," "Let Me Swim," and, most notably, a manic, turbocharged version of "Parchman Farm."…