{"id":20912,"date":"2026-06-18T10:38:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/?p=20912"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:38:38","slug":"carmine-appice-and-cactus-release-new-video-for-back-door-man-described-as-an-urban-ghost-story-taken-from-new-album-temple-of-blues-ii-out-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/?p=20912","title":{"rendered":"CARMINE APPICE and CACTUS Release New Video for \u201cBack Door Man\u201d, Described As An Urban Ghost Story Taken from New Album Temple of Blues II Out Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CACTUS.jpeg 1672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Carmine Appice and Cactus have released a new video for the track \u201cBack Door Man\u201d, taken from the new Cactus album \u201cTemple Of Blues II\u201d out now on Cleopatra Records. The track and video feature the amazing talents of Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan, alongside Carmine Appice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><u>Temple Of Blues II<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;CD\/vinyl:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cleorecs.com\/search?q=cactus+temple+of+blues+ii\">https:\/\/cleorecs.com\/search?q=cactus+temple+of+blues+ii<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><u>Temple Of Blues II<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;digital:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orcd.co\/cactus_templeofbluesii\">https:\/\/orcd.co\/cactus_templeofbluesii<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"nv-iframe-embed\"><iframe title=\"Cactus - Back Door Man\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oMb-uDARn50?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Carmine Appice shared his thoughts on on the song and video \u201cBack Door Man\u201d \u2014&nbsp;\u201cBack Door Man\u201d is an old blues classic. This version originally appeared on Howlin\u2019 Wolf\u2019s&nbsp;<em>The Howlin\u2019 Wolf Album<\/em>&nbsp;(often referred to as his \u201cElectric Album\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time, I wanted to make a real blues album for&nbsp;<em>Temple of Blues 2<\/em>.&nbsp;<em>Temple of Blues 1<\/em>was made up entirely of Cactus songs. I\u2019ve always loved the Howlin\u2019 Wolf album, which also gave Cactus our biggest song, \u201cEvil.\u201d We ended up recording seven songs from that album, and I always thought \u201cBack Door Man\u201d was one of the strongest tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We cut the song with my Cactus guitarist, Artie Dillon, and then I started thinking about who should sing and play on it. I wanted a great blues artist, so I called Eric Gales and asked him to be part of the track. Then I thought Billy Sheehan would be perfect for it, creating a killer blues trio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Billy was amazing on the track, even throwing in some lead guitar-style lines alongside Eric while still locking in with the drums. Eric\u2019s vocals and guitar playing were incredible. When I arranged the song, I pushed the tempo up and changed the energy. Eric thought one section was meant for the drums, so he sent it back. I told him, \u201cNo, it\u2019s for you to kick ass!\u201d When I got it back, the three of us had created something really special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The combination of great blues, powerful performances, and incredible energy brought the track to life. Then Pat Regan mixed it, and it sounds awesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"x_isPasted\">The video has its own story. It all started at our Cactus charity show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, where we filmed all of the performance footage. From there, Dom Esposito and I spent hours talking about the concept. Dom than spent countless hours editing and re-editing the video until he got the story exactly right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What started as a straightforward performance video evolved into a full-blown urban ghost story starring Eric Gales, Billy Sheehan, and yours truly. We wanted something that was more than just a band playing\u2014we wanted atmosphere, mystery, attitude, and a little bit of old-school MTV magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The finished video captures the spirit of the song perfectly. It\u2019s got that classic \u201980s MTV feel from a time when music videos were events and every song had a story to tell. Eric Gales delivers an incredible performance, Billy Sheehan is on fire, and together we brought this blues classic to life with a whole new level of power and excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turn it up, watch it loud, and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Carmine Appice<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2026this is a must have album for fans of heavy blues rock with amazing musicians &#8211; read guitarist &#8211; and fantastic drumming. Play it LOUD, listening tip: Back Door Man.\u201d &#8211; Bluestown Music<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTrying to choose the best songs on Temple of the Blues II is no easy task, with eleven unique cuts featuring ditferent band combinations on each track. Every configuration is anchored by Carmine Appice, whose relentless drumming drives each performance. A wide range of guitarists deliver standout solos, paired with soulful, emotion-driven vocals from multiple singers. The end result is a blues rock album that should satisty fans who appreciate powerful drumming and high-level guitar work.\u201d &#8211; Blues Rock Review<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCarmine Appice&#8217;s talent shines all over the album but especially in &#8220;300 Pounds Of Joy.&#8221;.. Temple of Blues Il is a celebration of blues and of one of the founding stones of what later became metal.\u201d &#8211; Heavy Music HQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think it was Muddy Waters who said &#8220;the blues had a baby and they named it rock &amp; roll&#8221;, and Temple Of The Blues Il is a snot-nosed kid who will drink your booze and steal your smokes when you&#8217;re not looking. This is great rock &amp; roll.\u201d &#8211; GONZOOKANAGAN.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2026this is a must have album for fans of heavy blues rock with amazing musicians \u2013 lead guitarist \u2013 and fantastic drumming.\u201d &#8211;&nbsp;Play it LOUD, listening tip: Back Door Man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now the Temple opens again, this time for an all-star aggregation that recalls Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Dee Snider and Pat Travers from volume one, alongside an all-new wave of heavy hitters including Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and a whole lot more!<br><br>The original Cactus grew out of Appice\u2019s past experiences with Vanilla Fudge and Beck Bogart and Appice, debuting in 1970 with a self-titled album and an immediate impact on the live circuit. And Temple Of Blues IItakes us back to their birth. That summer, Cactus were among the main attractions at the Isle of Wight Festival in England, and the new album\u2019s \u201cPurple Haze\u201d reunites them with both another of that bill\u2019s audience favorites, Melanie, and its overall headliner, Jimi Hendrix.<br><br>Elsewhere on this thunderous sequel, Pat Travers returns for the mighty \u201cMoanin\u2019 At Midnight,\u201d Joe Lynn Turner joins Morse, Carmine\u2019s Guitar Zeus bandmate Tony Franklin and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) for \u201cBad Stuff,\u201d Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) lead the way for \u201cThe Little Red Rooster,\u201d and Ted Nugent and Bob Daisley (Rainbow) join forces for an astonishing \u201cSpoonful.\u201d<br><br>But every track here 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.<br><br>Track List:<br><br>1. Back Door Man Pt. 1 &amp; 2 feat. Eric Gales &amp; Billy Sheehan<br>2. 300 Pounds Of Joy feat. Ty Tabor<br>3. Moanin\u2019 At Midnight feat. Pat Travers<br>4. Down In The Bottom feat. Dug Pinnick<br>5. Token Chokin\u2019 feat. Bumblefoot<br>6. Bad Stuff feat. Steve Morse, Joe Lynn Turner, Derek Sherinian<br>&amp; Tony Franklin<br>7. Tail Dragger feat. Rudy Sarzo &amp; Alex Skolnick<br>8. The Little Red Rooster feat. Dee Snider, Tracii Guns, Jimmy Haslip<br>9. Purple Haze feat. Melanie<br>10. Spoonful feat. Ted Nugent &amp; Bob Daisley<br><br>BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY]<br>11. Feel So Good feat. Billy Sheehan &amp; Britt Lightning<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<br><strong>About Cactus<\/strong><br>The current line-up of Cactus came together in 2021. Lead vocalist Jim Stapley comes from England and had worked with ex-Faces\/Who drummer Kenny Jones in the Jones Gang and Humble Pie. \u201cNearly five decades after I formed this band, the time had come to re-invent Cactus once again,\u201d says Appice, who also still drums for Vanilla Fudge, The Appice Brothers Drum Wars, and a hybrid tribute to former band leader, Rod Stewart. Adds Appice: \u201cThe music remains the same and Cactus is still a \u2018hot and sweaty\u2019 band. The level, quality and consistence of the band\u2019s musicianship is as strong as ever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><br>Cactus has had a long and turbulent history. Formed in 1970 from the ashes of Vanilla Fudge by Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert, the initial line up also featured McCarty (from Mitch Ryder and The Buddy Miles Express) and Amboy Dukes vocalist Rusty Day. While Cactus saw success from the start and soon built a loyal fan base, by early 1973 the band had collapsed mainly due to lack of real support from its label and the fact that Jeff Beck was now ready play with Carmine and Tim in BBA.<br>\u00a0<br>The band reformed in 2006, three decades after the tragic death of Rusty Day with Randy Pratt on harp (who also appears on this album) and Jimmy Kunes vocals. When the late Tim Bogert was forced into retirement due to complications after a serious motorcycle accident, Pete Bremy joined on bass before Caputo replaced him in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><br>\u00a0<br><strong>Links to Website and All Socials<\/strong><br><a href=\"http:\/\/CactusRocks.Net\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"CactusRocks.Net\">CactusRocks.Net<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cactusrocks\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"www.facebook.com\/cactusrocks\">www.facebook.com\/cactusrocks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carmine Appice and Cactus have released a new video for the track \u201cBack Door Man\u201d, taken from the new Cactus album \u201cTemple Of Blues II\u201d out now on Cleopatra Records. The track and video feature the amazing talents of Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan, alongside Carmine Appice. Temple Of Blues II&nbsp;CD\/vinyl: https:\/\/cleorecs.com\/search?q=cactus+temple+of+blues+ii Temple Of Blues&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/?p=20912\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">CARMINE APPICE and CACTUS Release New Video for \u201cBack Door Man\u201d, Described As An Urban Ghost Story Taken from New Album Temple of Blues II Out Now<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20914,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20912\/revisions\/20914"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}