| The Great Kat | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Katherine Thomas |
| Origin: | United States |
| Instrument: | Guitar, violin |
| Occupation: | Speed metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, neo-classical metal |
| Years Active: | 1986 – present |
| Label: | Roadrunner |
| Url: | http://www.greatkat.com |
The Great Kat is the stage name of Katherine Thomas (born 1966), an English-born, Long Island NY raised, musician best known for her thrash metal interpretations of well-known pieces of classical music. Most feature her using the electric guitar, but some have her on violin. Thomas is in fact a classically-trained violinist, graduating from the Juilliard School and touring for a time playing conventional classical music before crossing over to metal.
According to her website, Guitar One magazine listed her as one of the "Ten Fastest Shredders of All Time",[1] and many media reviews of her work have praised the speed and clarity of her playing. Her classical background, technical skills and self-promotion are sometimes compared to Yngwie Malmsteen.
Kat's public persona, as portrayed in her publicity photos and videos, is mainly that of a dominatrix, albeit in a somewhat over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek manner.
Kat (Katherine Thomas) : Vocals / Guitars / Violin
Jeff Ingegno : Bass
Lionel Cordew : Drums
Tom Von Doom : Bass
Chip Marshall : Bass
Adam Killa : Drums
Kevin Dedario : Drums
Scott Borrero : Drums