Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins Resurrect 'Zombie', Directed by Untold Studios’ Charlie Sarsfield

​Yungblud continues to define the next era of rock, joining forces with two‑time GRAMMY award‑winning icons The Smashing Pumpkins on a reimagined version of Zombie, marking the band’s first-ever collaboration with another artist.

The partnership arrives at a moment of cultural resonance, capturing the passing of the torch from one generation to the next and highlighting Yungblud as a rare artist capable of bridging the energy and rebellion of rock with the accessibility and charisma that has made him a global figure.

The collaboration follows a sold-out North American tour and kicks off Yungblud’s Australian run on January 15, with shows already projected to sell out.

In the first five days since release, the Zombie video has amassed 3.3 million views, demonstrating the momentum of his musical impact and supporting his triple Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album (Idols), Best Rock Song (Zombie), and Best Rock Performance (Changes). The recognition underscores the cultural weight of the project and the resonance of Yungblud’s evolution as a rock artist.

The convergence of artists carries a poetic symmetry: the meeting that birthed this collaboration happened while paying tribute to Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, who himself passed the torch to Yungblud. In this light, the project is both a collision and a continuation, the raw intensity and emotional depth of alternative rock meets the urgency and perspective of a new generation. Yungblud reflected on this dynamic: “It doesn’t feel like a throwback, it feels really fresh. It’s a fever dream, two eras colliding, but creating something entirely new. It even shifts the fan base; it shows where I want to go next sonically.”

Smashing Pumpkins founder and lead vocalist Billy Corgan spoke about the unexpected opportunity to sing on the track, “I was honoured to be asked by Yungblud to sing on the track, which I did not expect. Dom had a vision, and this change brought a new feel and dimension to the song. For a singer to crack pop and then move into rock is a very short list. Dom is right up there alongside Peter Gabriel, Ozzy Osbourne, Sting, and Bruce Springsteen.” A huge compliment to the authentic yet vulnerable sound we have come to expect from Yungblud. Corgan’s vocals add a new layer of urgency and texture, complementing Yungblud’s energy and emphasising the dialogue between two generations of rock.

The video, directed by Charlie Sarsfield and produced through Untold Studios, brings the song’s emotional heart to life. Shot in a snowy graveyard, with Yungblud performing alongside The Smashing Pumpkins clad in black, the visuals reflect the sombre tone of the track while amplifying the message of hope threaded through the music. Charlie explained the creative approach, “Working with Dom has become a creative partnership built on trust and shared vision. Every decision, from location to wardrobe to the energy in the vocals, was about turning raw emotion into cinematic form. Being supported by Untold Studios gave us the freedom to explore that fully, shaping a visual experience that feels alive, immediate, and human.”

The design of the set was informed by Yungblud’s personal experience while touring in Lithuania, where a hillside of crosses inspired the snowy graveyard aesthetic. This, paired with the intensity of live performance and the measured pacing of the video, ensures that every visual element reinforces the emotional storytelling. Charlie Sarsfield, supported by Untold Studios’ allowed for these creative choices, translating Dom’s vision into a cinematic reality without constraining the spontaneity and intensity that drive the project.

For Untold, Zombie exemplifies the studio’s approach: empowering their directors to take creative risks, nurturing long-term creative partnerships, and delivering work that is culturally relevant and visually striking. The project is more than a collaboration, it is a meeting of generations, a statement of contemporary rock identity, and a testament to Yungblud’s growing influence as a defining voice of modern music.