"Cactus V" is the fifth studio album by the American rock supergroup, Cactus, released in 2006. Formed in 1970, Cactus was renowned for their blend of hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal influences. Their initial tenure was between 1970 and 1972, after which they disbanded. Over the years, however, they have periodically reunited and produced new album releases, with "Cactus V" being the first to not feature any original members of the band.
The album was the first release following the band's reunion in 2005, marking their comeback after a significant hiatus. Its line-up included Carmine Appice, the original drummer and a renowned musician noted for his work with Vanilla Fudge and Beck, Bogert & Appice. He was joined by Tim Bogert, who played with him in these same groups. Jim McCarty, the original Cactus guitarist, was also present, alongside Jimmy Kunes, Pete Bremy, and Randy Pratt.
"Cactus V" is a blend of new tracks that showcased the group's development and preserved the hard-driving rock sound for which they were originally known. Still grounded in their blues-rock roots, the album showed significant maturation in their sound and songwriting. Tracks from the album like "The Groover", "Part of the Game", and "This Life She's Livin'" were especially well-received. The band's performance in "Cactus V" proved that their reunion was not merely nostalgia but a genuine milestone in their evolving music career.
