The Great Kat

For other people named Catherine Thomas, see Catherine Thomas (disambiguation).

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.^{[citation needed]} 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. ^{[citation needed]}

The Great Kat
Birth name	Katherine Thomas
Born	(1966-06-06) June 6, 1966 (age 59) Swindon, England
Origin	United States
Genres	Speed metal heavy metal thrash metal neoclassical metal power metal melodic death metal instrumental rock
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals, violin
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Roadrunner
Members	Kat Jeff Ingegno Lionel Cordew
Past members	Tom Von Doom Chip Marshall Adam Killa Kevin Dedario Scott Borrero Rob “Banks” Fitkin
Website	greatkat.com

Her classical background, technical skills and self-promotion are sometimes compared to Yngwie Malmsteen ^{[according to whom?]} . In an interview in metallian.com she claimed to be the reincarnation of Beethoven. ^{[citation needed]}

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. ^{[according to whom?]}

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".^{[citation needed]}

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