Resurrection Through Cartridge by Helcaraxë: A Fusion of Fury and Nostalgia
Released in 2013, Resurrection Through Cartridge by Helcaraxë is one of those albums that feels like it shouldn’t work—but somehow does. The US-based band blends rock and electronic elements with chiptune, death metal, and Viking metal influences, creating a sound as chaotic as it is captivating. Released under the "Not On Label" banner, this album isn’t your typical metal release; it’s an experiment that pushes boundaries while paying homage to retro gaming culture. And honestly? It kinda rules.
The tracklist itself reads like a playlist for a fantasy epic. Songs like “Valor” and “Dread Helm Of Awe” set the tone early on, but two tracks really stand out: “Ragnarök” and “Chain Mail.” Let’s break ‘em down.
“Ragnarök,” unsurprisingly, channels the apocalyptic vibe its title suggests. This song is relentless—a barrage of heavy riffs layered over chiptune bleeps and bloops that sound like they were ripped straight from an old NES game. Yet, instead of clashing, these contrasting styles mesh perfectly. You can almost picture pixelated warriors battling pixelated beasts across some forgotten 8-bit wasteland. It’s intense, yes, but there’s also a strange charm to how unapologetically nerdy it feels. If you grew up playing video games and headbanging to metal, this one hits different.
Then there’s “Chain Mail,” which leans more into traditional death metal territory. The growls are guttural, the drums thunderous, and yet…there’s still that unmistakable chiptune flair sprinkled throughout. What makes this track memorable is how it balances brutality with melody. Around the halfway mark, the music shifts unexpectedly, introducing a haunting synth line that gives off serious dungeon-crawling vibes. It’s moments like these where Helcaraxë shows their knack for storytelling through sound.
Other tracks like “Hammersmith’s Revenge” and “A Fortune In Riddles” keep the energy high, but nothing quite sticks in the same way as “Ragnarök” or “Chain Mail.” That said, the album as a whole never feels dull. Each song brings something new to the table, whether it’s a blistering guitar solo or a clever nod to classic arcade scores.
In hindsight, Resurrection Through Cartridge is less about reinventing genres and more about smashing them together to see what happens. Sure, it might not appeal to purists—metalheads who prefer raw grit or gamers nostalgic for simpler times may find it too eclectic. But for those willing to embrace its weirdness, it’s a wild ride worth taking.
Fun fact: listening to this album makes me wonder if Odin himself would approve. Probably—he seems like the kind of guy who’d dig both vikings and vintage consoles.
