Cactus - Barely Contained - The Studio Sessions. Dble CD. (Rhino Hand Made - RHH778722) The grandfathers of Stoner Rock who evolved from a meeting of ex members of Vanilla Fudge, The Detroit Wheels and The Amboy Dukes. Every note that this great US early '70's power rock band recorded in the studio is here on this double CD, including their 1970 self-titled debut - which was recorded by Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer at Electric Lady Studios - plus the 1971 follow-ups, "One Way...or Another" the excellent "Restrictions" and the studio cuts from "'Ot and Sweaty" (the album that featured ex Leafhound vocalist Pete French). Also included are three unreleased tracks, "Rumblin' Man"; "The Sun Is Shining", and "Hound Dog Sniffin'", all drawn from sessions from the first two albums. 33 tracks, most never before on CD and all killer dirty heavy rock mayhem! Great gatefold digi package with a detailed booklet.

Cactus - Fully Unleashed-the Live Gigs. Dble CD. (Rhino Hand Made - RHH778712) As road manager Richard "Paco" Zimmer recalls, "Each gig was the equivalent of tripping," and this double-CD trips through the entire tenure of the band's original line-up, starting with their 1970 Isle of Wight gig (only four months after the band was formed), through a 1971 gig at Gilligan's Club in Buffalo, the April 1972 live tracks that were on the "'Ot 'N' Sweaty" album, and winding up with their final gig in its entirety, an amp-blowing performance at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis on December 19, 1971. 18 tracks, 12 unreleased!

Cactus - Restrictions. CD. (Mason Records - MR 56436) Reissue of their 3rd and final album, in the original line-up who evolved from a meeting of ex members of Vanilla Fudge, The Detroit Wheels and The Amboy Dukes. Includes classics such as 'Evil', 'Alaska', etc.

Cactus - V. CD. (Escapi Music - EMUS20060) With their unique blend of heavy boogie blues and hard rock, Cactus have been among a small group of acts credited with the early beginnings of Heavy Metal. Once described as "the American Zeppelin" and a band cited by the likes of Van Halen, Kings X and Monster Magnet as major influences.Formed when drum legend Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert disbanded the 60’s classic rock outfit Vanilla Fudge.Originally, they were to join forces with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart but Beck suffered a car accident, so legend has it, although they did join Jeff Beck on the legendary Beck, Bogert & Appice Project.They now return (2006) with their first new album since 1972! Featuring original members Appice, Bogert and Jim McCarty, they are now joined on vocals by ex-Savoy Brown frontman Jimmy Kunes. With their trademark hot n nasty metallic blues, they are certainly carrying on where they left off!

Cactus - Cactus. CD. Debut album by the supergroup featuring the rhytthm section of Tim Bogert and Carmen Appice, Rusty on Vocals and the underrated guitar playing of Jim McCarty. One of the strongest rock releases of the '70's, it's filled with solid rhythm tracks from the Vanilla Fudge boys and blistering riffs n solos. Notably rawer than their future album releases, this is the original line up at its best. The grandfathers of Stoner Rock deliver some of the best killer dirty heavy rock mayhem here.

Cactus - One Way. Or Another. CD. 1971 album by the pioneering stoner rockers. Recording at Electric Lady Land studios and having Eddie Kramer in to do the engineering might explain the slightly less raw sound on the groups second release, though this still is top drawer amped up raw blues. This is the last album the group made to feature the mighty talents of guitarist Jim McCarty. A real stomper.

Cactus - Ot 'n' Sweaty. CD. The groups last album before their return in 2006. By this point, Jim McCarty had left due to arguments within the band, only the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of Bogert and Appice remained from the original lineup. For this half live, half studio recorded release, Peter French (Atomic Rooster, Leafhound) took over vocal duties (Rusty Day was fired), Werner Fritzschings on guitar and Duane Hitchings on keyboards. Despite the mass changes to the group, there are still some killer tracks: "Bad Mother Boogie", "Bad Stuff" and "Telling You."

© Delerium Music 2008. Web Site written and maintained by Matt Platts for Paragon Digital. Please see www.vatloophole.co.uk for information on why we closed down.