In a recent interview with BW&BK; scribe Carl Begai, WWIII frontman Mandy Lion discussed his groundbreaking performance on ex-DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch's solo debut, Sacred Groove. Released in 1993, Lion performed on a song called 'The Beast' featuring vocals that, at the time, were unusually heavy for a "mainstream" metal release (check out an audio sample here). It also introduced people who were unfamiliar with WWIII to Lion and his unique singing style, which was years ahead of its time.

"WWIII was active since 1986, so quite a few years before the Lynch thing," says Lion. "If I'm not mistaken WWIII was signed for two years before George ever called me to do that thing. This is when Tracy G (guitars) got so intimidated that he started freaking out. Calling me ever day trying to explain to me why this is a huge mistake, how George Lynch sucks and so on. Can you imagine...? Saying that George sucks? I knew then that the guy is clearly out of his mind."

Lion remembers the recording sessions for 'The Beast' well...

"I believe that George likes doing the heavy stuff more than the commercial stuff. I believe this based on his reaction to my version of his song the night I went to the studio for him to listen to it. He was so excited he was literally dancing around the studio yelling 'Bad-ass!' He liked the fact that it was heavy but at the same time a little cheeky. Metal often times is completely void of humor or completely ridiculous, like Gwar for example. I like Lemmy or Bon Scott kind of humor.. you know, like 'Shot Down In Flames' and other songs like that. To this day when George calls, as soon as I pick up the phone I hear him yelling: 'I am the world's first full blown...'"
"Another great thing happened during that recording," Lion continues. "Glenn Hughes was there when I did my vocals. Glenn is one of the all time greatest singers as I am sure everyone knows. I was absolutely sure he would hate what I was doing with this song. After I was done tracking he came up to me, shook my hand and said that this was the heaviest vocal performance he has ever heard and that he absolutely loved it. I think I grew an extra inch in height that night."

Watch for the full interview in Features, coming soon.