Joe Lynn Turner And Steve Morse Collab Highlight New Cactus Album

Official Announcement | Published: Mar 31, 2026 4:35 PM EDT

(Cleopatra Records) With just days to go before the worldwide April 3 release of one of the most coveted new blues albums of the year, Carmine Appice and Cactus also unveil one of its most anticipated tracks as their latest single.

Originally recorded on Cactus's 1972 album 'Ot and Sweaty, this piledriving reimagining of "Bad Stuff" features guest vocals from Joe Lynn Turner, veteran of both Deep Purple and Rainbow, alongside his own massively successful solo career, while fellow Purple alumni Steve Morse adds his own characteristic guitar alchemy. The result, as Turner explains, is explosive.

"When Carmine asked me to contribute a vocal to the new Cactus album the first question was 'what song?' He said a bluesy rock song called 'Bad Stuff' that would be perfect for me. And when I heard about the amazing lineup of Steve Morse..Tony Franklin.. Derek Sherinian, and, of course, Carmine, I was completely sold!

"The result is a low down dirty blues track that moves and grooves with a sexy voodoo swagger. I'm very proud to play a part on this killer album!"

The line-up is completed by Carmine's Guitar Zeus bandmate Tony Franklin and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), and Cactus's own Artie Dillon.

Carmine continues, "I always loved 'Bad Stuff' back in the day, and still today. I always loved the groove and the lyrics. And with the new Allstar version I love it even more!!"

The long-awaited sequel to Cactus's last album, Temple of the Blues, Temple Of Blues II echoes its predecessor's star-studded line-up of guests, with Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot and Pat Travers all returning from last time around, alongside an all-new wave of heavy hitters including Morse, Turner, Melanie (a truly transformative rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze"),Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot), Alex Skolnick(Testament), and a whole lot more!

Elsewhere on this thunderous adventure, Ted Nugent and Bob Daisley (Rainbow) join forces for an astonishing "Spoonful" - one of no less than seven Dixon/Wolf classics on the album - the others include the band's last two singles, "The Little Red Rooster" (featuring Snider and Guns) and "Back Door Man," with Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan.

But of course there's more besides, and every one of them expands the raw blues-rock vision of volume one with even more fire, swagger, and authority. And Carmine, of course, anchors the proceedings with his unmistakable power, groove, and feel, driving every track and reaffirming his status as one of the most influential drummers in rock history.

Track listing
1. Back Door Man Pt. 1 & 2 feat. Eric Gales & Billy Sheehan
2. 300 Pounds Of Joy feat. Ty Tabor
3. Moanin' At Midnight feat. Pat Travers
4. Down In The Bottom feat. Dug Pinnick
5. Token Chokin' feat. Bumblefoot
6. Bad Stuff feat. Steve Morse, Joe Lynn Turner, Derek Sherinian
& Tony Franklin
7. Tail Dragger feat. Rudy Sarzo & Alex Skolnick
8. The Little Red Rooster feat. Dee Snider, Tracii Guns, James Haslip
9. Purple Haze feat. Melanie
10. Spoonful feat. Ted Nugent & Bob Daisley

BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY]
11. Feel So Good feat. Billy Sheehan & Britt Lightning