Kat (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Katowice , Poland |
| Products | Heavy metal music, thrash metal music, speed metal music, black metal music |
| Website | www |
Kat (presented as KAT) is a heavy metal group originating from Katowice, Poland, established in 1979.
Recognized as a seminal force in Polish and Central European heavy metal, KAT played a pivotal role in shaping the early thrash metal scene. Their influential album "Oddech wymarłych światów" (The Breath of Extinct Worlds) is considered a foundational work within Polish heavy metal. Notable tracks include "Czas zemsty" (Time of revenge), "Łza dla cieniów minionych" (A tear for the shadows gone), and "Wyrocznia" (Oracle).
The term "kat" translates to executioner in English.
History
The inception of KAT dates back to 1979 when guitarist Piotr Luczyk formed the band, initially enlisting drummer Ireneusz Loth, bassist Tomasz Jaguś, and guitarist Ryszard Pisarski. Their early sound was instrumental, drawing inspiration from hard rock legends such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. In 1981, the ensemble expanded with the addition of vocalist and lyricist Roman Kostrzewski, who infused their music with poetic elements, Polish folklore, and mysticism. Guitarist Wojciech Mrowiec later completed the group’s lineup. The band’s first single, "Noce szatana / Ostatni tabor" (The Nights of Satan / The Last Train), was released in 1984. During this period, they also toured alongside Hanoi Rocks.
Their debut album Metal and Hell came out in 1986 through the Belgian label Ambush Records, produced by Jos Kloek. That same year saw the release of a Polish-language counterpart titled 666. Following Mrowiec’s departure, KAT supported prominent international acts including Metallica, performing twice at Katowice’s Spodek arena in 1987—a concert immortalized on their live record 38 Minutes of Life. They also opened for groups such as Running Wild, Helloween, and Overkill.
In 1988, the band unveiled "Oddech wymarłych światów" (Breath of Extinct Worlds). Internal disputes between Luczyk and Kostrzewski led to a temporary break before resuming activity in 1990. Their performance at the 1992 Jarocin Festival alongside TSA and Acid Drinkers preceded the release of the album Bastard that same year.
To counter accusations of Satanism, KAT recorded "Ballady" (Ballads) in 1994 at Deo Recording Studio. This album featured ballads from earlier releases along with new compositions featuring guest keyboardist Józef Skrzek (SBB). Additionally, Metal Mind Productions reissued KAT’s first three albums that year; however, the band later prevailed in a legal dispute against this company.
The 1996 album "Róże miłości najchętniej przyjmują się na grobach" (Roses of Love Best Flourish on Graves) was followed by renewed tensions between Luczyk and Kostrzewski. Due to these conflicts, the subsequent album "Szydercze zwierciadło" (The Mocking Mirror) was recorded separately by members. After its release, KAT ceased operations; Luczyk pursued other musical ventures while Kostrzewski established Alkatras. The death of Jacek Regulski in 1999 prompted a reunion tour under the KAT name, culminating in a joint concert with Iron Maiden and resulting in the live album/DVD Somewhere in Poland (2003).
In 2004, KAT parted ways with drummer Ireneusz Loth and vocalist Kostrzewski. They were succeeded by Mariusz Prętkiewicz on drums, Jarosław Gronowski as second guitarist, and Henry Beck taking over vocal duties. This lineup produced Mind Cannibals (2005). These changes caused division among fans as Kostrzewski and Loth formed Kat&Roman Kostrzewski.
Following Mind Cannibals, KAT toured across Europe alongside acts like Six Feet Under and Helloween, though they did not perform within Poland. The band remained inactive from 2005 until 2014 when they released an acoustic album titled "Acoustic – 8 filmow," featuring guest vocalist Maciej Lipina. Vocalist Henry Beck later founded his own band; bassist Adam Harris Jasinski joined after being discovered by Luczyk. In 2016, Qbek Weigel replaced Beck as lead singer. KAT secured an international contract with German label Pure Steel Records and launched Without Looking Back on 14 June 2019.
Plans for touring to support Without Looking Back were abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the band back into studio work. In July 2020, they announced The Last Convoy, which was released on 25 September; this album includes covers of classic rock songs alongside re-recorded KAT tracks featuring guest artists such as former vocalist Henry Beck and ex-Judas Priest frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens.
On 10 February 2022, original singer Roman Kostrzewski passed away from cancer at age 61.
Current lineup
- Piotr Luczyk – guitar (1979–1988, 1990–1999, 2002–present)
- Mariusz Prętkiewicz – drums (2004–present)
- Adam "Harris" Jasiński – bass guitar (2014–present)
- Marek "Qbek" Weigel – vocals (2016–present)
Past members
- Ireneusz Loth – drums (1979–1988, 1990–1999, 2002–2004)
- Tomasz Jaguś – bass guitar (1979–1986)
- Ryszard Pisarski – guitar (1979–1984)
- Roman Kostrzewski – vocals (1981–1988, 1990–1999, 2002–2004) (deceased 2022)
- Wojciech Mrowiec – guitar (1984–1986)
- Krzysztof Stasiak – bass guitar (1986–1988)
- Krzysztof Oset – bass guitar (1990–1999, 2002–2014)
- Jacek Regulski – guitar (1990–1999) (deceased 1999)
- Jarek Gronowski – guitar (2004–2006)
- Henry Beck – vocals (2005–2016)
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL | ||||||||||||||
| Metal and Hell |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| 666 |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Oddech wymarłych światów |
|
49 | ||||||||||||
| Bastard |
|
27 | ||||||||||||
| Ballady |
|
25 | ||||||||||||
| Róże miłości najchętniej przyjmują się na grobach |
|
24 | ||||||||||||
| Szydercze zwierciadło |
|
29 | ||||||||||||
| Mind Cannibals |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Acoustic – 8 Filmów |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Without Looking Back |
|
44 | ||||||||||||
| The Last Convoy |
| |||||||||||||
| "—" indicates an album that either did not chart or was not released in that region. | ||||||||||||||
Live albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL | ||||||||||||||
| 38 Minutes of Life |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Jarocin – Live |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Somewhere in Poland |
|
40 | ||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a release that did not enter the charts or was unavailable in that market. | ||||||||||||||
Singles
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| "Ostatni tabor/Noce szatana" | 1984 |
| "Metal and Hell/Oracle" | 1986 |
| "Time of Revenge/Czas Zemsty" | |
| "Róże miłości najchętniej przyjmują się na grobach" | 1996 |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart rankings | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL | ||||||||||||||
| Kat 1985–2005 |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| Rarities |
|
49 | ||||||||||||
| "—" indicates the album did not enter the charts or was not issued in that market. | ||||||||||||||
Video albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| Somewhere in Poland |
|
Other
| Title | Album information | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Czarne zastępy: W hołdzie KAT |
|
|
External links
- Polish musical quartets
- Polish heavy metal musical groups
- Polish thrash metal musical groups
- Speed metal musical groups
- Polish black metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1979
- Musical groups disestablished in 1987
- Musical groups reestablished in 1990
- Musical groups disestablished in 1999
- Musical groups reestablished in 2002
- 1979 establishments in Poland
- Mystic Production artists