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.
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 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
External links Official website 'Favourable' listener review of Wagner's War UnRated Magazine Beethoven's Guitar Shred Interview from Tuned-Out.com in Detroit. Reviews of Castration video with Kat's responses Music Legends Interview with The Great Kat