Katherine Thomas (born June 6, 1966), best known by her stage name The Great Kat, is an American guitarist and singer best known for her thrash metal interpretations of well-known pieces of classical music. Most feature her using the electric guitar, but on some she uses the violin. Thomas is a classically trained violinist, graduating from the Juilliard School and touring for a time playing conventional classical music before crossing over to metal.[2]
The Great Kat | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Katherine Thomas |
| Born | June 6, 1966 Swindon, England |
| Origin | United States[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, violin |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Roadrunner |
| Members | Kat Jeff Ingegno Lionel Cordew |
| Past members |
|
| Website | greatkat |
Guitar One magazine listed her as one of the "Fastest Shredders of All Time".[3][4] Her classical background, technical skills and self-promotion are sometimes compared to Yngwie Malmsteen. In an interview in metallian.com she claimed to be the reincarnation of Beethoven.
Her public persona, as portrayed in her publicity photos and videos, is mainly compared to that of a dominatrix, albeit in an over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek manner.
In 1990, Swiss black metal band Mordor recorded for their first demo tape "Odes" a tribute song for Thomas, titled "The Great Kat Is God".
Discography
edit- 1986 – Satan Says (demo)
- 1987 – Worship Me or Die!
- 1990 – Beethoven on Speed
- 1996 – Digital Beethoven on Cyberspeed (EP)
- 1997 – Guitar Goddess (EP)
- 1998 – Bloody Vivaldi (EP)
- 2000 – Rossini's Rape (EP)
- 2002 – Wagner's War (EP)
- 2005 – Extreme Guitar Shred (DVD)
- 2008 – Total Insanity (compilation)
- 2021 – Mozart Beethoven Bach and Shred (EP)
- 2021 – Beethoven, Beethoven and the Reincarnation of Beethoven (EP)
- 2022 – Ludwig Van Shred
References
edit- ^ "The Great Kat | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "Faster, Pussy Kat, Kill!, Kill!". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. July 2003. p. 34. ISSN 0886-3032.
- ^ "THE GREAT KAT WINS GUITAR ONE MAGAZINE'S "TOP 10 FASTEST SHREDDERS OF ALL TIME" AWARD!! The Great Kat "Girl power" is a gross understatement. Born Katherine Thomas, this Juilliard-trained violinist snapped after graduating and mutated into the world's fir". Greatkat.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- ^ "Top Shredders of all Time". Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2010.