The crowd feels Leo’s metal cover of “Zombie” is not just the best, but their favorite song ever
Leo Moracchioli’s metal cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” has gained widespread attention for its powerful reinterpretation of the original song. Released in 2016, this version not only transformed the haunting grunge melody into an intense metal track but also highlighted Moracchioli’s signature approach of blending hard-hitting instrumentals with emotional depth. His ability to seamlessly combine heavy guitar riffs and growling vocals while maintaining the song’s core anti-violence message resonated with both metal and non-metal fans alike. This dynamic fusion has led many listeners to consider his rendition superior to other covers and even declare it their favorite song.
Leo Moracchioli, a Norwegian musician known for his YouTube channel Frog Leap Studios, has built a reputation for crafting metal covers of popular songs across different genres. With his multi-instrumental talent, he records, arranges, and produces all aspects of his videos, often layering dozens of tracks to create complex yet cohesive renditions. His rendition of “Zombie” was a standout due to its intense energy and the emotional weight of the song’s subject matter. By taking a track that already carried significant emotional and political resonance and adding a layer of ferocity, Moracchioli was able to reach an even broader audience.
The original version of “Zombie” by The Cranberries was a protest song, written in response to the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, which tragically took the lives of two children. Dolores O’Riordan’s raw vocals in the original conveyed a powerful sense of sorrow and frustration, which Moracchioli amplified through his metal interpretation. His version retains the dark, brooding atmosphere but adds a heightened intensity with heavier guitar and vocals, embodying the anger and frustration the song’s lyrics evoke.
Leo’s cover, which has amassed millions of views online, was widely praised not just for its technical prowess but for the emotion it brought to the song. Many fans, both of the original and of metal, expressed that his version allowed them to connect with the song in a new way, offering a fresh perspective while staying true to the essence of the original. For some, this rendition was so impactful that they even proclaimed it to be the definitive version of the song, surpassing all other covers.
Leo often collaborates with other musicians, and for this cover, his wife Stine Moracchioli contributed bass and backing vocals, further enhancing the performance. This familial collaboration added a unique dynamic to the cover, showing how personal connections can influence musical expression. Together, they brought a new energy to “Zombie,” which, in turn, contributed to the cover’s viral success.
Leo Moracchioli’s career has been built on his ability to transform popular songs into metal anthems, and his take on “Zombie” remains one of his most successful and beloved works. His covers often breathe new life into the original tracks, appealing to fans of the originals while introducing them to the metal genre. With over 4.5 million YouTube subscribers, Moracchioli continues to expand his audience by reimagining hits from a range of genres, making metal accessible to a wider group of listeners.
This cover also reflects a broader trend of metal artists reinterpreting mainstream tracks, pushing genre boundaries and blending elements of pop, rock, and metal to create something entirely new. By doing so, Leo not only showcases his talent as a musician but also demonstrates how versatile and emotionally resonant metal music can be.
Through his version of “Zombie,” Leo Moracchioli has given new life to a song that has already touched many, ensuring that its message continues to resonate with new generations. For many listeners, the combination of heavy metal’s raw intensity with the poignant lyrics of the original has created an unforgettable version that stands out as one of the best covers ever produced.
