Bathed in a neon glow, Anvil Strykez are the newest in a batch of Finnish retro futurists hearkening back to a time of buzzing neon and Lamborghinis. Deftly switching between synthy, Carpenter-esque themes and spacey, Italo Disco styled dance numbers, Anvil Strykez add an extra dimension to their electronic craft. Driving, propulsive synth lines move Anvil Strykez along at an impressively grooveworthy pace. Feeling somewhere in between an Italian post-apocalyptic film and an 8-bit space helicopter videogame, Anvil Strykez makes good use of guitar lines to further expand their electronic landscape. The name of the game is to sound new while still sounding old, and this record manages to do just that. While any track wouldn't surprise someone if it were tagged with "1987," there is a modern feel to the arrangement that keeps it from sounding like an old retread. Although the scene is rife with retro acts these days, Anvil Strykez add a different touch to theirs that sets them apart. Some tracks have an EBM feel to them, that lessens the neon and cranks the strobe. This combination of an almost cyberpunk feel with a pounding beat gives Anvil Strykez the extra depth it needs to stand on its own.

Riding the wave of 80's retro, but keeping it from feeling old and cliche, Anvil Strykez's debut on Wolf Force uses all the available tools to build an electronic tribute to a lone, neon skyscraper jutting out of a barren, post-apocalyptic wasteland. In a case of not judging a book by its cover, look beyond the name and listen to the material. Anvil Strykez is a very enjoyable listen, and fits perfectly with upcoming summer drinking sessions.