She successfully navigated the contrast between restrained verses and the explosive, belting chorus, capturing the anger and pain of the original protest anthem.
The band publicly lauded the cover, calling it "one of the finest covers of the song that we’ve heard" and stating they believed late frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan would have been "very impressed". Miley Cyrus - Live from Whisky a Go Go - Zombie #SOSFEST
The performance was seen as proof that rock "runs deep in her veins," moving her away from her previous "Disney persona" and into the territory of legendary vocalists. Cyrus utilized "controlled damage"—leaning into grit
The performance received rare, high-level validation from the source itself: Miley Cyrus - Live from Whisky a Go Go - Zombie #SOSFEST
Rather than a polished pop cover, Cyrus utilized "controlled damage"—leaning into grit, distortion, and cracks in her voice to mirror the song’s volatility.