The Great Kat--Metal Spotlight

Article by Andrew Smith

To say that The Great Kat is a little testy and driven would be an understatement... in many different ways!

She began listening to classical music basically at birth, and began piano studies at the age of seven, which were quickly followed by violin studies at the age of nine. A full scholarship to the Julliard School of Music in New York City was awarded at the age of 15.

The classical awards which she has received include:
--The Artists International Competition--Carnegie Recital Hall Debut;
--Concertmaster of the Julliard Pre-College Orchestra;
--Numerous other awards, scholarships, and competitions on the violin around the U.S.


After graduating from Julliard as a violin soloist, Kat came to the conclusion that classical music was pretty much dead in today's society. So, she set out to update it...

After seeing a Judas Priest music video, she then picked up the electric guitar and began systematically transcribing all of her violin solos and orchestral music to the guitar, turning the music into speed metal. The Kat's name for the new classical/metal music of the 21st Century? Cyberspeed!


Main influences:


When asked what the Kat's "dream gig" would be, she promptly replied with this:

"THE GREAT KAT TOUR IS THE ONLY TOUR WORTH BEING ON OR SEEING!!!"

Ahhhh.... a woman with confidence!

Official Great Kat Website

The Kat Web Site features: 1-The NEW "BLOODY VIVALDI" CD
2-The Great Kat LIVE Music Video "The Great Kat LIVE at the Expo of the Extreme!"
3-MUSIC VIDEO "DOMINATRIX
4-KAT CD "GUITAR GODDESS"
5-Cyberspeed Music: The Great Kat, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, Sarasate, Rossini, Chopin, Rimsky-Korsakov, and more.
6-Kat Slave Club
7-Kat Club Guestbook
8-Kat Body Parts
9-Kat Paparazzi
10-Kat Merchandise

A couple of final words, directly from the Kat...

BOW TO YOUR GUITAR DOMINATRIX: THE GREAT KAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Email The Great Kat at The Great Kat.
Write to The Kat Slave Club at P.O. Box 20554, Columbus Circle Station, NY NY 10023
CALL The Cyberspeed Hotline: 212-799-9392 WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE GREAT KAT IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, directly from the Kat... :-)


Don't forget to check out the autographed CD Giveaway Contest featuring The Great Kat!!
The Great Kat--Bloody Vivaldi (1998/TPR)
Rating--6.5

Some of the morbid sounds and visions of Ozzy and W.A.S.P., though with mainly an instrumental and technically-detailed focus. A blend of classical-bent, speed, and OTT music---and plenty of attitude on the side...
This four-song EP starts out with "Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' For Violin, chamber Orchestra & Band," which mixes the listed instruments along with drums and electric guitar--all of which are played with rapid precision. "Sarasate's 'Carmen Fantasy' For Violin & Band" follows suit.
The frenzied, pace-shifting pain trip of "Torture Chamber" has plenty of screams and begs for mercy, which the 39-second speed piece "Blood" is similar in intensity.
It will be interesting to see what can be produced over an entire album; be sure check out the Metal Spotlight feature.
TRACK LIST: Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" For Violin, Chamber Orchestra & Band/Torture Chamber/Blood/Sarasate's "Carmen Fantasy" For Violin & Band
TGOS