Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice are one of the greatest rhythm sections in rock music history, there is no denying that. They helped to put Vanilla Fudge and countless other bands on the map over the last 40 years. Cactus was one of those bands that came and went rather quickly with little notoriety, and unjustly I might add.

I remember how I discovered them — I was in a used bookstore that carried old scratched-up LPs and I grabbed the Cactus album Restrictions, and that was my introduction. As I recall, their rough blues-rock and the wailing of lead vocalist Rusty Day did nothing for me. As with many bands, I found an appreciation for them years later. Now I am finding all the Cactus music I can get my hands on, I love it. Its funny how perceptions and priorities change as life goes by.

All original members, Bogert, Appice, and guitarist Jim McCarty, are back with lead vocalist Jimmy Runes, who is a perfect fit for their blues-based rock to burn down the house with. Okay, I know you're already scratching your head and having doubts about a band getting back together after over 30 years to make a comeback album. Well, let me tell you something, V is jam-packed with great music — it's boogie, funk, blues, and rock baby, ‘Ot ‘N’ Sweaty just like it used to be. Classic rock sounds — I mean original, not fabricated by some young upstarts — are hard to find these days. For the most part, you have to go out and find the old LPs, CDs, or if you are lucky to land the reissued CDs, then it's music nirvana. Some you can't find anymore, or if you do it's over in Europe for some outrageous price. I am a happy camper today, Cactus is back with a new album, and it smokes!

Bogert and Appice still have it and McCarty plays some scorching licks while Runes does more than an adequate job with his forceful and arousing pipes. All of these parts fit the bill for a fantastic Cactus album. The CD booklet includes lyrics and for the most part, you can actually understand what Runes is singing about during the course of the album but it's still fun to have a look at the lyrics to sing along.