For the last decade or so, the seemingly unstoppable rock juggernaut that is The Answer has been one of Northern Ireland’s finest exports. The band’s always awesome, high octane live shows have earned them an army of followers from countless countries across the globe and their don’t fix what ain’t broke fusion of ridiculously raunchy riffs and leather-lung-ed vocals has established them as rightful torch-bearers of what really is an evergreen scene.
A band very much born to raise hell (and to paraphrase Lemmy Kilmister, it’s something “that they do real well”), the County Down classic rock quartet release their fourth album next month – and it’s an opus which showcases them at the very peak of their powers.
The Answer have never sounded better than they do on this ten track LP, produced by Little Angels frontman Toby Jepson. There’s an infectious feeling of optimism and hope herein. The likes of the title-track and ‘Spectacular’ are died-in-the-wool anthems that smoulder with burning ambition. Clearly in fighting form after their recent record label/management/booking agent shake-ups, New Horizon is the sound of a band with a point to prove and they do it in style: the stomping ‘Somebody Else’ and swaggering southern fried rocker ‘Baby Kill Me’ are right up there with the band’s best. Relentlessly catchy and unashamedly worshipping at the temple of rock from start to finish, this will no doubt convert plenty more non-believers to the cause over the months ahead. The prognosis: stick around, I can see nothing but good things over the horizon for The Answer.

Key Track: 'Baby Kill Me'