Bad Wolves vs. Miley Cyrus | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the second edition of Head 2 Head, Bad Wolves and Miley Cyrus duke it over their respective takes on The Cranberries’ classic, “Zombie.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing and contrasting their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  For our second head-to-head, the source material is 🎙 The Cranberries, specifically the song, 🎵 “Zombie”. The two artists going head-to-head are heavy metal band 🎙 Bad Wolves and 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Miley Cyrus. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

Background

“In your head, in your head / Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie.” Ah, to this day, that’s a truly glorious, timeless chorus – one for the ages.  Of course, that zombie-driven chorus arrives courtesy of Irish alternative rock band The Cranberries fronted by the late, great 🎙 Delores O’Riordan. O’Riordan penned this classic from 💿 No Need to Argue about unrest between Ireland and England (“It’s the same old theme, since 1916”) and most specifically, a 1993 bombing by the Irish Republican Army that killed two English children (“Another head hangs lowly / Child is slowly taken”).  This beloved classic both referencing the conflict as well as seeking peace.

Also, check out: 🎧 Zombie: 3BOPS No. 7 (2021)

1. Bad Wolves, “Zombie”

💿 Disobey • 🏷 Eleven Seven Music • 📅 2018

Cutting straight to the chase, heavy metal band Bad Wolves make “Zombie” truly their own record.  No, they don’t eclipse the work put in by Delores O’Riordan or The Cranberries as a whole, but they ensure they don’t make a carbon copy. The mark of a good cover is to add your own spin without changing it to dramatically, let alone desecrating it.

Like the original, the introduction by Bad Wolves is moody, setting the tone for what is to come. The use of piano adds a chilling aspect, which really captures that sentiment O’Riordan was going for.  On the verses, lead singer 🎙 Tommy Vext (who’s no longer with the band) shows restraint, gaining more steam on the pre-chorus, and eventually rising to a fever pitch on the powerful chorus.  I have to say, I love the robust, masculine sound he brings to the table.  It contrasts O’Riordan mind you, but it’s pretty sweet ultimately.  The chorus definitely sounds more “like 2018” (they change that key lyric), as the band successfully updates the sound with that wall of guitars.  Recording quality is better than it was in 1994, so Bad Wolves reap the benefits.

2. Miley Cyrus, “Zombie”

💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA• 📅 2020

Miley Cyrus is a talented vocalist.  Sometimes, her antics have actually sold her musical talents short in my opinion.  Nonetheless, Cyrus is blessed with a capable instrument.  It’s not surprising that she’s able to take on this beloved The Cranberries classic, channeling her inner Delores O’Riordan.  Where the Bad Wolves take is recorded in the studio, Cyrus’ cover from her 2020 album, 💿 Plastic Hearts, is live.

In the portion of the review of Plastic Hearts dedicated to 🎵 “Zombie (Live from the NIVA Save Our Stages Festival),” I complimented the energy, grit, and passion that Cyrus brings to the table.  Those ‘cutting’ pipes certainly go to work.  She’s not able to emulate those unique nuances that only O’Riordan could achieve – Tommy Vext certainly couldn’t do so, particularly as a male vocalist – but she definitely compels.  Furthermore, she reminds you of your love of one of the greatest alternative rock gems of all time.   Add this extra layer – Cyrus is known more for her pop and country endeavors as opposed to rock/alternative rock.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Ah, the verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️! Bad Wolves or Miley Cyrus?  Both artists do a fine job of covering the iconic classic.  That said, if I had to choose a favorite in this head 2 head, Bad Wolves gets the edge.  I like the contrasts the band bring to the table.  Furthermore, I just think Vext sounds awesome covering this classic by one of alternative rock’s most unique vocalists.

Bad Wolves vs. Miley Cyrus: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 2 (2021) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Eleven Seven Music, The Musical Hype, RCA, UMG Recordings, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]