In the realm of death metal, all roads lead to Morbid Angel. Seattle death metal band Book of Black Earth bears that out. According to guitarist/vocalist T. J. Cowgill, Horoskopus is a concept album about “hidden astrological elements of the Christian church.” Basically, God is fabricated, at least that's what I took from it. That's heavy subject matter and has the ring of a Morbid Angel album theme. But for all the similarities, Book of Black Earth plays ungodly death metal, saved for the most extreme metal fans.

“2160” leads off the album with a death march, calling troops to arms. We are then thrust into “Death of the Sun,” a track reminiscent of Morbid Angel's classic “Rapture.” Cowgill shouts the chorus out of “Death to the Sun!” Wow, you can't get any more metal than that. “Horiskripture's” underlying Nile-like Egyptian theme is like a soundtrack to an ancient death ritual or sacrifice. The groove-heavy rhythm is a throwback to classic death metal bands, and the guitars are tuned down to ultra-heavy. Book of Black Earth is more intent to crush the ground we walk on, rather then setting it afire with blazing speed. “Cult of Dagon” is positioned well in the middle of the album. Brooding, chugging guitars back otherworldly guttural growls, building tension as to what lies ahead for the second half of the record. And just like clockwork, the duo of “Funeral of Peace” and “God of War” serve up a heaping helping of high-speed blackened death immediately following. Unholy organ sounds open up the colossal “From Heaven.” Once again, it sounds like Book of Black Earth is channeling a death ritual. The album ends with the near-10-minute “Christ Pathogen,” another slab of slower, atmospheric death. At one point, Cowgill is so enthralled in the moment that it sounds like he is hopelessly straining to get anything out, then dies while bellowing the song's title repeatedly. If I ever get so lucky to appear on a death metal album, someone please make sure I get to die in a song.

Book of Black Earth has a lot to offer death metal. Yes, they sound a lot like a number of other bands in the subgenre, but the album's unique concept (isn't just merely hating God getting old, anyway?) and the band's crushing delivery make Horoskopus a solid effort, bordering on death metal greatness.