THE GREAT KAT „Beethoven Shreds”

TPR Music, 2012

Music: Shred Metal / Neo-classical Metal / Speed Thrash Death Metal
Website: http://www.greatkat.com
Duration: 07:33 minutes (7 tracks)
Country: U.S.A.

This material is something in style of re-release of the original disc from 2011, although earlier in 2009 was released DVD with the same tracks. THE GREAT KAT rather prefers different Ep’s, compilations or reeditions than the full albums, which the band has only two (from the beginning of her activity, that is, from the turn of 80-90). This crazy and controversial artist in nowadays is rather based on previously composed and arranged songs without creating anything new (except for single songs), and this is a pity…

“Beethoven Shreds” mostly features works of the cult (in the world of Classic Music). On the beginning of the material is the composition of “The Flight of the Bumble-Bee” – the arrangement from the Ep “Beethoven Mosh” of 1990. This track is all well known in its original version, but THE GREAT KAT traditionally offers its arrangement for the guitars, the violin and the orchestra – in fast-pace (300 BPM), which create predatory, literally biting sounds – which sounds like a sudden attack of furious bumblebees!

The next track is Beethoven’s “5th Symphony” in an arrangement dating back to 1990 (from the album “Beethoven on Speed”), maintained in a similar tone to the previous track – quickly and ominously. The arrangement sounds like the creator has taken psychostimulants!

“Torture Techniques” is the own composition, in which artist Kat deregulates her lusts – aggressively and hysterically yelling and squealing to predatory ultra fast guitar riffs and sharp, scary solos, to the rhythm of the fast rhythm section – which creates a technical brutal Thrash / Death Metal bits.

Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto #3” introduces a bit of rest after such furious sounds. However, its arrangement is similar to previous cover-songs, although the pace of the song and the atmosphere is slightly more delicate. After the track “Torture Techniques” and in spite of the virtuoso guitar-violin sounds, this work is audible like a ballad, that it is not actually.

But THE GREAT KAT returns to torturing the listener by her sounds, this time with help of the fifty-second track – “IslamoFascists”, whose sharp, aggressive and ultra fast-paced themes make sounds in style of Speed ​​/ Thrash / Death Metal by thrilling virtuoso solos, ultra-fast riffs and aggressive screams “Die! Die! You die! You die! “Shred the listener’s hearing …

The penultimate track again gives us some rest from this bustle full of furious rage. But that does not mean that it is a ballad… The composition of Bach arranged on the harpsichord with the “metal band” creates a somewhat psychotic atmosphere, as if the harpsichord and “metal band” competed with each other, fought for domination… and in effect these all gonna to silence…

The last few dozen seconds fill the variation in style of neo-classical Metal for Paganini’s “Caprice #24″… The scheme is already classical… The sharp and aggressive combination of violins, guitars at the fast pace of the rhythm section.

The whole takes less than 8 minutes! But will someone be more resistant to such intensity of sound (especially high) in such arrangement without prejudice to mental health? Undoubtedly this is a very controversial proposal for Metal and Classical Music.

Tracklist:
1. The Flight of the Bumble-Bee
2. Beethoven’s “5th Symphony”
3. Torture Techniques
4. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto #3”
5. IslamoFascists
6. Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue”
7. Paganini’s “Caprice #24”

Line-up:
Katherine Thomas – Guitars & Violins & Screams, Cyber Orchestra, Samples

Rate: 8.0/10