Bad Wolves is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. They gained widespread attention in 2018 for their cover version of The Cranberries’ song “Zombie”, which they released shortly after the death of Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan. While the cover was well-received by many fans and critics, it also sparked some controversy and debate.
What is Bad Wolves?
Bad Wolves was formed in 2017 by lead singer Tommy Vext and drummer John Boecklin, who were previously members of rock bands Divine Heresy and DevilDriver respectively. The band plays a style of metal music that incorporates elements of nu metal, alternative metal, and hard rock. Their sound has drawn comparisons to bands like Godsmack and Five Finger Death Punch.
In addition to Vext and Boecklin, the band’s lineup includes guitarists Doc Coyle (ex-God Forbid) and Chris Cain, and bassist Kyle Konkiel (ex-In This Moment). They released their debut album Disobey in 2018 via Eleven Seven Music, which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart. It included the hit single “Zombie”.
Bad Wolves’ cover of “Zombie”
“Zombie” was originally released by The Cranberries in 1994. The protest song was written by Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan in response to a 1993 IRA bombing in England that killed two children. It became one of the band’s most popular and acclaimed songs.
In January 2018, Dolores O’Riordan tragically died at the age of 46 while in London for a recording session. Shortly after, Bad Wolves announced they would be releasing a cover of “Zombie” in tribute to O’Riordan and her musical legacy. The band had actually been planning to cover the song for some time and had been in contact with O’Riordan to get her blessing prior to her death.
Bad Wolves released their cover version of “Zombie” on January 18, 2018, four days after O’Riordan’s death. All proceeds from the song went to O’Riordan’s children. The track quickly topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and became a hit for the band.
The controversy
While many fans appreciated Bad Wolves’ cover of “Zombie” as a heartfelt tribute to Dolores O’Riordan, some also accused the band of exploiting her death for commercial gain and found the timing of the release insensitive. Some specific controversies included:
- Releasing the cover so soon after O’Riordan’s death, before her funeral had even taken place
- Changing some lyrics and musical arrangements on the song without approval from the remaining Cranberries band members
- Profiting from a cover when proceeds could have gone to O’Riordan’s family or charity instead
- Potentially using the tragedy as a publicity stunt to fuel success for a new band
The Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan was one of the most vocal, saying he was “not impressed” with Bad Wolves’ handling of the cover and felt the release was “exploiting Dolores.” Other critics accused the band of being “opportunistic” by capitalizing on O’Riordan’s popularity and death.
Bad Wolves’ response
In response to the criticism, Bad Wolves issued statements defending their intent and actions. Some key points they made included:
- They had been planning the cover for a while with O’Riordan’s approval prior to her death
- All proceeds were going to her children per the band’s agreement with Dolores
- The cover was meant as a sincere tribute to honor O’Riordan’s legacy
- The band felt releasing it sooner rather than later was the best way to pay tribute while sentiment was high
- They believed O’Riordan would have wanted the song released this way
Vocalist Tommy Vext directly addressed the Cranberries, saying he understood their criticism but reiterating Bad Wolves’ good intentions and respect for O’Riordan. He said the band had tried to get in contact with Cranberries management prior to release but received no response.
Public reaction
Opinions were split among music critics and fans on whether Bad Wolves’ cover was a respectful tribute or not. While some saw it as a fitting memorial to O’Riordan, others argued it was either poorly timed or came across as a cynical cash grab. Debates raged on music sites and social media.
Below is a table summarizing some of the main perspectives on the controversy:
| Viewpoint | Argument |
|---|---|
| Supportive of Bad Wolves’ cover | A meaningful tribute to O’Riordan’s legacy; She would have approved of the cover’s release; Honors her memory |
| Critical of Bad Wolves’ cover | Exploits O’Riordan’s death for commercial gain; Insensitive timing; Disrespectful to her and The Cranberries |
| Neutral/mixed opinions | Understand both perspectives; Questionable timing but good intent; Cover itself is respectable |
A poll on Loudwire.com asking fans whether they approved of Bad Wolves’ cover received over 36,000 votes, with 67% responding “Yes” in support of the band and 33% responding “No” against it.
Aftermath and impact
Despite the controversy surrounding the release, Bad Wolves’ cover of “Zombie” went on to become a major hit for the band. It topped Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart for three straight weeks and helped fuel success for their debut album Disobey.
In 2019, Bad Wolves released a second version of “Zombie” featuring newly recorded Cranberries members Noel and Mike Hogan on guitar and bass. This version was authorized by The Cranberries and proceeds went to The Dolores O’Riordan Memorial Fund in support of mental health charities.
While debate continues on whether the original cover was appropriate so soon after O’Riordan’s death, there’s no denying it drew mass attention to both Bad Wolves as a new band and The Cranberries’ musical legacy. It remains one of Bad Wolves’ most popular songs played at concerts.
Beyond the song itself, the controversy also sparked wider conversations about artistry, tribute, and the ethics of posthumous releases. It highlighted the fine line between honoring deceased artists and potentially exploiting their work for profit or publicity. These conversations remain highly complex, personal, and unresolved.
Conclusion
The Bad Wolves cover of “Zombie” sparked controversy and debate due to its timing soon after Dolores O’Riordan’s death. While the band intended it as a tribute, many saw it as insensitive and exploitative. Opinions remain split on whether it honored O’Riordan’s legacy or disrespected it. Regardless, the cover brought the band commercial success and spotlighted larger ongoing discussions about posthumous releases in the music industry.