WWIII Bio

It all started in when Mandy Lion, still living in the "Old World," decided at the age of 11 to use music as a way to express his feelings and already strong opinions of the world. With his unusual look, powerful vocals and song writing ability beyond his age, he was ready to rock Europe.

By the age 13, he had already been the lead singer and songwriter in several popular bands in Germany. But the members tried time and again to alter his unique style to fit the current trends. Mandy therefore took matters into his own hands and decided to start his own line up in order to be able to express himself fully. The result was a band that shocked the public at the time with its raw intensity and blatant sexuality.

After a few years of constant touring, Mandy Lion decided to take his project to the next level which required a move from Europe to Los Angeles California. He arrived in mid 1986, only to find that bubble gum rock was in full bloom. He did what he had done all his life, he took World War Three to the streets of LA and rocked a glam dominated scene with the intensity of a German build panzer.

Within months he went from being a complete musical outcast, to sold out venues wherever he played. It was then that other musicians (like Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, etc) started incorporating and sometimes downright imitating Mandy's style. He attracted legendary manager Don Arden (BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE, E.L.O., AIR SUPPLY, LITTLE RICHARD, JERRY LEE LEWIS, etc) who after two unsuccessful attempts to see a show due to completely sold out venues, saw Mandy live and signed him to a management contract on the spot. Within months Mandy Lion was signed to Hollywood Records and auditioning celebrity players to create a line up, which was to become one of metals all, time best.

The first line-up of World War Three consisted of Jimmy Bain (RAINBOW, DIO), Vinnie Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO) and Joe Floyd (WARRIOR). Joe Floyd was not able to give WWIII the kind of attention Mandy needed from him due to the fact that Joe had just started the now legendary Silvercloud Recording studio so Mandy decided to give a down and out but talented Tracy G. a shot. Even though Tracy never fully replaced the mighty Joe Floyd, Mandy and the boys recorded a great (and by now) legendary CD called World War Three. They produced several videos and toured extensively headlining and opening for bands such as the then still huge Iron Maiden. Drummer Vinnie Appice would eventually be replaced by James Kottack (SCORPIONS, KINGDOM COME) and finally by super drummer Mikkey Dee (King Diamond, Motorhead).

Label failure, disagreements between bandmembers and a fight over Mandy's involvement with George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCHMOB) eventually caused Mandy to dissolve WWIII and start a new project with no other than Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE, BADLANDS) and this "WICKED ALLIANCE" is due to release a CD early 2002. A solo project in which Mandy Lion plays all instruments, produces, engineers and writes everything is in the making as well...

Now, 11 years after the first onslaught of World War Three, it is time to resurrect the legend. Mandy Lion's World War Three has recently been Signed to Sony records and the new album entitled "When God Turned Away" is soon to be released. To follow will be tours of the United States and Europe in 2002.

The new CD is a combination of old school song writing with a modern day vibe and intensity that will appeal to old and new metal fans alike. Mandy has not lost, like many of his contemporaries but gained intensity and power.

The delivery is monumental, the grooves are undeniable and the melodies are haunting. Mandy's voice is stronger than ever and the guitars are finally what they should have been... AWESOME. The new album is stronger lyrically, musically and the delivery is powerful as only WWIII can do! Watch for "When God Turned Away" by WWIII in stores soon.

If you want to know where bands such as White Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Type O Negative, got their ideas from, you must experience the man that started it all. Often copied, his vocal style and stage presence remain unmatched.

His music is best described as dramatic, dangerous, dark, heavy sensual and extremely powerful. Mandy Lion has returned with World War Three to do what ONLY what he can...