Rossini's Rape

Album Review

Running through four pieces (none of which are more than two minutes long) in a scant six and a half minutes, Rossini's Rape leads off with a version of the titular composer's William Tell Overture, arranged for a combination of speed metal band and orchestra (which here features both live and MIDI instruments). The next two, "Sodomize" and "Castration," are Great Kat originals keeping with her über-dominatrix persona. Musically, these are the most interesting and feel the least like novelties — sort of Slayer meets Yngwie Malmsteen, except fronted by a shrieking female violinist, which actually adds a new dimension to the sinister feel of the music. The set closes with an adaptation of Bazzini's "The Round of the Goblins." The Great Kat is without a doubt an amazingly accomplished musician, but the problem on Rossini's Rape is the production, which often muddies the arrangements and prevents listeners from picking out the individual instrumental parts — and, thus, the full extent of her virtuosity can get lost in the frantic chaos.