Review: Cactus & Carmine Appice – Temple Of Blues II – All-Stars
Cactus & Carmine Appice – Temple Of Blues II – All-Stars
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Cleopatra Records
Release: 2026
Text: Martien Koolen
All Stars is the sequel to the amazing ‘Temple Of The Blues’ album of 2024 and this one is even better, highlighting Appice’s power and groove, together with the original TOB band and a couple of notorious guitar players and vocalists. Part two features ten tracks and they are all extremely powerful, packed with pounding drums, impressive guitar picking and raw and bluesy vocals.
Opening track Back Door Man, featuring Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), sets the tone for this wonderful album, meaning “heavy” riffs, hooks, drums, formidable guitar solos, and rough, heartfelt vocals. Follow up 300 Pounds Of Joy is the second highlight of this album and this one features Ty Tabor of King’s X and you should play this track at maximum volume indeed to reach 1000 Pounds of listening joy/pleasure.
Pat Travers, one of my favourite guitarists ever, comes next with a hard rockin’bliues track called Moanin’ At Midnight, another stunning track for sure, displaying Travers marvellous and intricate guitar techniques. The version of Spoonful, featuring stormtrooper Ted Nugent and Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne), is one of the heaviest one I have ever heard; awesome indeed, although Nugent’s guitar playing is no match for Clapton….
Bad Stuff, featuring no one less than Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Dream Theater), Tony Franklin (The Firm) and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Malmsteen), is another highlight, and again, my advice, play it LOUD and you will love it! Songs that I would not really recommend are: The Little Red Rooster (rather weird cover with Dee Snider on vocals) and the Jimi Hendrix cover Purple Haze, featuring Melanie on vocals…..
But, overall, this is a must have album for fans of heavy blues rock with amazing musicians – read guitarist – and fantastic drumming.
Play it LOUD, listening tip: Back Door Man.
Tracks:
01. Back Door Man Pt. 1 & 2 feat. Eric Gales & Billy Sheehan
02. 300 Pounds Of Joy feat. Ty Tabor
03. Moanin’ At Midnight feat. Pat Travers
04. Down In The Bottom feat. Dug Pinnick
05. Token Chokin’ feat. Bumblefoot
06. Bad Stuff feat. Steve Morse, Joe Lynn Turner, Derek Sherinian & Tony Franklin
07. Tail Dragger feat. Rudy Sarzo & Alex Skolnick
08. The Little Red Rooster feat. Dee Snider, Tracii Guns, Jimmy Haslip
09. Purple Haze feat. Melanie
10. Spoonful feat. Ted Nugent & Bob Daisley
BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY]
11. Feel So Good feat. Billy Sheehan & Britt Lightning
Website: https://www.cactusrocks.com/