As Slayer approach the final date of their farewell world tour, the tributes continue to roll in. The latest is a pulverizing cover of the thrash pioneers’ “Mandatory Suicide,” off 1988’s South of Heaven, by St. Louis, Missouri, sludge-metal misanthropes Fister. The hellish, feedback-soaked rendition appears on Fister’s forthcoming covers album Decade of Depression, which is, of course, titled in homage to Slayer’s classic live record Decade of Aggression. The LP commemorates the group’s 1o years of existence — from 2009 to now — and also features covers of classic cuts by Metallica, Danzig, Darkthrone, Pungent Stench and more.
“We could’ve picked any song on South of Heaven and it would’ve been awesome,” the band said of their Slayer selection. “We talked about either doing this track or ‘Spill the Blood.’ This song just seemed to fit better.” Hear Fister’s nasty take on “Mandatory Suicide” below, and see the full track listing for Decade of Depression (which is available for pre-order now) as well as the band’s upcoming tour dates.
Decade of Depression track listing:
1. City of The Living Dead – FABIO FRIZZI
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls – METALLICA
3. Mandatory Suicide – SLAYER
4. Too Old Too Cold – DARKTHRONE
5. How the Gods Kill – DANZIG
6. Reaper – HELLHAMMER
7. And Only Hunger Remains – PUNGENT STENCH
8. THE FAILURE – FISTER (re-recorded)
Fister tour dates:
Aug 2 – Rock Island, IL – Rock Island Brewing Company
Aug 3 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
Aug 4 – Toronto, ON – Bovine Sex Club
Aug 6 – Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
Aug 8 – Portland, ME – Geno’s Rock Club
Aug 9 – Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus Bar
Aug 10 – Boston, MA – O’Brien’s Pub
Aug 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
Aug 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Howler’s
Aug 13 – Washington, DC – Atlas Brew Works
Aug 14 – Richmond, VA – Wonderland RVA
Aug 15 – Atlanta, GA – The Bakery Atlanta
