| The Great Kat | |
| Birth Name: | Katherine Thomas |
| Birth Date: | 6 June 1966 |
| Birth Place: | Swindon, England |
| Origin: | United States[1] |
| Instrument: | Guitar, vocals, violin |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Years Active: | 1986–present |
| Label: | Roadrunner |
| Current Members: | Kat Jeff Ingegno Lionel Cordew |
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]
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".