"WAGNER'S WAR" CD Review in D-Day's Revenge Webzine Dennis Day, D-Day's Revenge Webzine     Just what in the Hell is “Shred Classical”? Well, The Great Kat wants to share that new genre with the rest of the masses and I feel it may have made a mark with her latest album “Wagner’s War”.   When I first got this CD, I was hoping for something different, I’ll admit. When I saw my favorite classical tune, “The Ride Of The Valkyries” at the number one spot, I was hoping for some really serious CRUNCH to drive the whole thing, but it wasn’t to be. Where I was hoping for thunderous guitars, it has a trumpet. After a few more spins, however, I grew to like it. Besides, this isn’t MY album, right? I finally realized that this wasn’t some sort of “Slayer Does The Classics” or “Wagner: As Interpreted By Testament”. This is “The High Priestess Of Guitar Shred” herself, The Great Kat and there’s more than simple metal interpretations going on here. Picture some of the most intricate, complex classical music done expertly on guitar at break-neck speed. Throw in some bloodshed, a few castrations and a leather bikini clad vixen leading the charge and that’s The Great Kat.   And trust me, this CD has speed that will leave your eyes bleeding and your nuts in your watch pocket.   The Great Kat, being a New York native, created this work in response to the events of 9/11. Sure, there’s been millions of albums, songs, tributes, or whatever coming out of that horrendous event, but this one is different.   How many of those others had such vengeful lyrics aimed at the terrorists like “Murder the mothers!!! Slaughter the bastards!!! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!!” from the song War, or “Shoot him in the stomach, Peel off his fingernails, Torture Him! Spit on him! Punish him!” from the song Punishment? (I LOVE this chick!)   Perhaps Alan Jackson could have sold more albums with these songs? Well, maybe not.   The Great Kat’s forte is speed. Not just speed for the Hell of it, but reconstructing the classics, along with her originals, to share with a modern-day public. Hence, the term she created, “Classical Shred”. If you were to ask her, she’s Beethoven reincarnated. She says that, not me. But I’m not gonna argue, either. Wagner’s War is comprised of only 7 songs with all but one being under 2 minutes. The other is only 2:11. So this isn’t some grand opus that will be put on as you sit back with a few cold ones, but basically plays like a sampler type CD that lasts all of 11 minutes. But that’s all you’ll want or need. It probably wouldn’t be safe for the brain to blast too much of this all at once. It will be one that you break out when your friends come over and say, “Dude! Check out how fuckin’ FAST this is!”   Is that a bad thing? Of course not. To hear someone with this skill is amazing and I would recommend that everyone check it out. (Or any of her albums for that matter)   The Great Kat not only shreds on guitar, but also truly kicks ass on violin as is also demonstrated here. She’s a former Julliard student and has even played Carnegie Hall. The lady has talent and it is evident on the album, “Wagner’s War”.   The disc is broken up into 3 acts: Act 1: WAR 1) Wagner’s “The Ride Of The Valkyries" 2) War 3) Terror Act 2: Revenge 4) Punishment 5) Humiliation Act 3: Victory 6) Listz’s “Hungarian Rhapsody #2" 7) Sarasate’s “Zapateado” for violin, Piano, and band. The Ride Of The Valkyries is the perfect way to start the album. A “call to war”, if you will. Any time I hear the original arrangement, I remember it being blared over the speakers of the chopper cavalry in Apocalypse Now as they’re coming in to kick some ass. As a matter of fact, I could even picture The Great Kat saying, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning!”   See, hear and learn more about The Great Kat at www.greatkat.com   The contents of all music, photos, graphics, text and videos are protected by copyright and may not be used or reproduced without prior express written authorization from the publisher.