ALBUM REVIEW: From pain and darkness emerges beauty and light from The Answer on the emotionally heart rending Solas

WILLIAM Butler Yeats spoke of "My Dark Declivities" in his poem 'Parting'. Less than a year ago The Answer faced pain, crisis on a band level and on a very personal level for singer Cormac Neeson. Their own dark declivity and a parting loomed.

Exhausted and in a real emotional turmoil it could have broken many a person and torn apart a band that has become the totemic voice of Northern Ireland hard rock. And, it nearly did.

But there is something in the Celtic and Northern Irish spirit that refuses to be beaten, refuses to lie down, that takes the bitter blows, rolls with them and emerges stronger. We spit into the darkness and suck away the negative energies to make the light shine brighter, greeting the new dawn, defiant despite the physical and emotional scars and a touch of the melancholic at the end

The title of the new album from The Answer is 'Solas', the Celtic word for light and drawn from the personal agonies there is a light and a magnificence about this album.

Let's be honest The Answer, in more than a decade, have never released a poor track. Even their less strong tracks are the envy of most bands plying their rock. But 'Solas' elevates itself way above what they have done in the past. They have brought forth something from within and shared with us all the definitive hard rock release from the band.

There is a departure from some previous albums, but it as if the band have distilled all they have learned, decreed that this will be musically and lyrically a real labour of love, and delivered an honest release on all levels.

Even without knowing the back story to this release this is a powerful album. But it is the backstory that makes it all the more remarkable...

Roll back to the start of 2015. They'd wrapped up the Raising a Little Hell tour in a mess. And, then Cormac's son, Dabhog, was born three months premature, weighing just 1lb 12oz. Mutiple issues with the young man's health weighed heavy.

How the man and his family held it together is remarkable in itself.

With the many crises the band sequestered themselves in their home studio, cast aside distractions and said to hell with everything apart from their families.

What they have produced as a result - and in the circumstances is a truly outstanding set of songs. Broody, contemplative, beautiful.

Rock is still there, present and correct, but this has real depth, real weight, no faux waving metaphorical arms around.

There is a clear nod to their Celtic roots and the deep connection with everything that shaped Northern Ireland.

Title track 'Solas' as an opener sets the tone - don't expect your average rock album it says loudly as the incantation "What the light don't fill, the darkness kills" haunting the listener's thoughts.

Second track, 'Beautiful World' is agonisingly great. Regret and pain writ large as Paul's guitar echoes the agony in one of his finest performances ever.

But the veil of darkness is pulled from the eyes as 'Battlecry' opens with a delicate acoustic line before James' drum line gently urges the track forward.

Repeating the Celtic phrase: “Seo An Lá A Thainig Mo Ghrá”, (This Is The Day My Love Arrives) as a counterpoint to the defiant delicacy of the lyric "I know that no one is invincible, This world cannot ignore us," is a stroke genius as is Micky's subtle basslines.

There is something wonderful about the laid back groove of 'Untrue Colour' as these four musicians pull off a track that has a sweet lushness lurking within to have your foot tapping and just leave you smiling.

The Northern Ireland theme of the sound is reflected in the superb 'In This Land' which is simply a tribute to NI, referencing the fateful nature of a troubled history and the achievements of the likes of Van Morrison, Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins and the adopted son, Rory Gallagher. With mandolin as a counterpoint to the acoustic once again Paul pulls out a brief and glorious solo to round the sound off.

'Thief Of Light' could come across almost dirge like in lesser hands as it opens, before a strange, attractive hopefulness emerges.

A mash up of Celtic, rock and country 'Being Begotten' is one of those songs that just nails you. Let's put it this way, it would sit nicely on Led Zeppelin III or Physical Graffiti, such is the craft and dexterity in its gentle touch and kick in the balls lyrics.

If you want to remember the very best of rock melody, then 'Left Me Standing' has more moves than a chess master on speed, all matched in a bitter poem of anger.

With a twist 'Demon Driven Man' slithers from the Deep South of the US of A, before kicking in with a trademark Cormac chorus and lyric that turns the subject of attack back on himself.

'Real Life Dreamers' sees the band joined by Irish singer 'Fiona O'Kane' in a song that stretches the boundaries.

"The life I knew taught me to believe in a dream" Cormac calls out and the entire structure of the song and the hope it espouses are so uplifting that it should be played before every session of the United Nations.

Closer, 'Tunnel', on the other hand is a reminder of struggles, the fight and the fact that despite all our rush to the light, despair may always dog the footsteps of individuals and humanity itself.

It serves to tie up the narrative arc within the album, and to cause us to pause and reflect...

Engineered by Paul, production duties are handled by the team behind their first album, Andy Bradfield and Avril Mackintosh, to a certain extent a narrative arc in itself. A decade ago The Answer were fresh faced rockers, filled with talent in abundance.

Now, through experience and the vagaries of the road combined with the vagaries of fate that visited the band they have emerged tempered in fire, but sharper, more mature. The four fresh faced rockers are now men.

Sure, we always knew Cormac, Paul, Micky and James are all masterful musicians, amazing songwriters and outstanding performers, but this is an album that rises them up. This is one of the best 'rock' releases not just of the year, but perhaps of the decade.

Review by Jonny

Solas is released via Napalm Records on October 28th.

LIVE REVIEW: The Answer and Screaming Eagles bring down the rock and soul at Limelight

THERE is no doubt that over the past dozen years or so The Answer have been flying the flag for hard rock across the globe, and it is now 10 years since the band released their début album 'Rise'.

To celebrate the anniversary The Answer are re-issuing the album with re-mastered tracks and bonus material. Ahead of its release the band were in Belfast's Limelight1 on Friday, June 3rd to play the album in its entirety.

Before the County Down rockers, another set of serious Northern Ireland rockers arrived on stage with a boom.

Screaming Eagles are making a name for themselves with their no-nonsense, high octane approach, and with two albums and a number of significant festival appearances and tours.

That refinement is apparent from the first bars of  'Ready for the Fall' as a cacophony of chords rained down on the gathering crowd. The titular 'Screaming Eagles' follows in a flurry of superbly executed call outs and melodies. Rousing stuff.

The only blip was the appearance of cover tracks, which could well have been filled with some of their own work in what was a short support slot.

However, 'Hungry for More' and closer 'Rock 'n' Roll Soul' were excellent examples of what the band are capable of.

The gig had been upgraded from Limelight2, a move justified by the gathering crowd and the number paying at the door. The Answer are always a draw, no matter what they are doing.

Cormac and co were not on a nostalgia trip, despite playing 'Rise' in full. This was about re-affirming the musical roots of The Answer. This was about laying down a marker. This was about rock and fucking roll in all its glories and triumphs.

'Under the Sky' merely wakened the crowd from its between bands reverie, scampering from smoking areas and the bar to reach the front.

There is a precision to what The Answer to such an extent that were you not to be watching you'd think you were listening to one of the best raw live albums. Turn to face the ban and you see the sheer sense of pleasure the band enjoy.

Cormac's voice booms and slides in equal measure as his slight frame threatens to wrap itself around the mic stand and moves across the stage like a rock cobra. Paul wields his guitar through gyrations of movement while his fingers torture notes and tease phrases and riffs.

Mikey seems conjoined with his bass while James' pores ooze sweat as he pounds his kit into submission.

Each track from 'Rise' is not regurgitated, but is taken, shaken and given new light. 'Memphis Water' allows for a bluesy breather, after the metal bluster and battering of 'Into The Gutter'.

'Preachin' delivers its wit with the crowd joining in the incantation to "join the Baptist Church", while 'Keep Believin' is not just a song of hope, but one that 10 years on is something the band and fans really do as we look forward to the next decade, believing.

Of course, while 'Rise' is about loving the roots that The Answer planted when they began, it is the next chapter that's about to unfold. A new album is nearly complete, for release later in the year.

And, to conclude the evening two new tracks where unveiled. 'Thief of Light' and 'Solas' both demonstrated the real promise that the next phase holds for the band.

From the past to the future, The Answer are holding a torch for rock that shines bright.

Review by Jonny. Photos by Darren McVeigh. Reproduction by explicit written permission only.

INTERVIEW: Part two of our interview with Cormac and Paul from The Answer

THIS is part two of our interview with The Answer. (Watch Part One Here).

This was recorded at The Answer's County Down studio. Recording was by Darren and Zakk; production assistant was Tina.

INTERVIEW: The Answer from the studio as they get ready for touring, 10th anniversary of Rise, festivals and a new album

THE Answer are about to embark on a massive summer. It's the 10th anniversary of début album Rise, which they are re-issuing with re-mastered tracks, work is almost done on their forthcoming release.

Add into all that and the band are getting set for a mini-UK tour, that will see them play Rise in full, and culminating in a Belfast date at the Limelight on June 3rd.

After that they'll be hitting festival dates, including Ramblin Man Fair.

We ventured down to The Answer's County Down studio to catch up with Cormac and Paul to reflect on these. Interview below.

LIVE REVIEW: All-star celebration for Diamond Rock Club's 10th Birthday Party

IF there is a more out of the way rock club in Western Europe it hasn't been yet found: The Diamond Rock Club is situated above a small bar, in a small County Antrim village, well away from the capital of Northern Ireland.

Despite this, for 10 years it has kept going, attracting faithful fans, with a family atmosphere and attracting national and international acts to its intimate surroundings.

As part of the birthday celebrations five of Northern Ireland's outstanding musicians came together for a party, a party that was greeted by the usual Diamond Rock Club raucousness, beer toasts and banter.

Cormac Neeson (The Answer), Pat McManus, Keith Weir (The Quireboys), Davey Bates (Stormzone)and Seamy Donnelly (A Little Bitter) plus a guest appearance for Steve 'Rock' (Lo Mejor)made for one talented group of individuals.

But, could they gel together given the limited time they had to rehearse for the gig. Of course they could - this was a masterclass in how to produce a set of fan favourites, there are no egos they just play damn fine hard rocking fun.

From opener 'Nutbush City Limits' to closer 'Highway to Hell' this was more than a celebration of the Diamond Rock Club's 10th Birthday, this was a celebration of the sheer joy that rock 'n' roll can bring; a type of ecstasy that requires no drugs (okay maybe some beers do help).

Amidst all the smiles there was probably none more than 'Basher' Bates - grins aplenty as he tortured his kit into submission.

All the musicians were enjoying themselves throughout, almost as much as the crowd. Whether it was Thin Lizzy'a 'Rosalie' and 'Jailbreak; Free's 'All Right Now' and 'My Brother Jake'; or Hendrix's 'Purple Haze' this was entertainment at its peak.

Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' was turned into 'Sweet Home Ballymena' and the encore included the oft-called for 'Freebird'.

Sure, to some this might have represented the clichéd underbelly or hard rock, but that misses the point. These are the songs that were the foundations of all our journeys into rock and metal; these are sounds that formed our youth, and have endured to this day.

And, what is more Derwin and co at the Diamond Rock Club have enabled us to experience these songs, new acts, older acts and much, much more over the past 10 years.

We doff our cap and quaff our beers in your honour.

Review and pictures by Jonny

ALBUM REVIEW: Raising a Little Hell with The Answer

FOR some time The Answer have been bubbling under the mainstream media's radar - loved by many, adored by many more they have attracted a cult status many a hard rock act envies;and they have always provided full-on hard rockin' blues both live and on recorded offerings.

We checked our iTunes account when checking out their latest release 'Raise A Little Hell' to find we have six and a half hours of tunes from one of the UK's premier hard rock acts.

A bold statement to say The Answer is amongst the hard rock luminaries in the UK? Not bold enough. For years they have developed, grown and matured in the full glare of an indifferent media and the full adoration of their fan base.

Last time out their 'New Horizons' release was given a contemporary kick up the ass by Toby Jepson's production, but how could they match that after re-signing to Napalm Records?

To put it simply they have embraced the lessons learned from that release, taken them on board and wrapped it in their rock and blues roots for 'Raising A Little Hell' to produce a balanced, mature and balls out rocking release.

From the defiant opener 'Long Live The Renegades' through to the poignant 'Strange Kinda Nothing' this is an album that showcases not just the band's abilities, but their honesty; and their sense of what transforms a good track to a great track.

Cormac's voices oozes soothing charm and heartache; while Paul seems to have relished the chance to yet again explore hard rock and blues (the acoustic work on the aforementioned 'Strange Kinda Nothing' is under-stated excellence).

'Cigarettes and Regrets' is amongst the many stand-out tracks  - a track that on its own makes it worth the purchase of the album as the quartet meld together in a manner that many wish to achieve.

But, the lessons of 'New Horizons' more contemporary feel have not been lost to the band despite this 'return to roots' approach. 'I Am What I Am' is a strident rocker of a tune, with Mickey and James nailed down together behind Paul's insistent riffing.

But to get a real sense of The Answer's development check out 'Whiplash' - a revelatory track, full of passion, nicely judged in tempo and riffs. A real gem.

But while 'Whiplash' extols the rockier elements of The Answer 'Gone Too Long' has the heart melting sense of the blues wrapped up in rock, while 'Red' is just blues rock at its best and 'I Am Cured' harkens back to the sound of 'Rise' in its arrangements and playing; and that isn't a step backwards, just an acknowledgement of where the band have come from.

Closer and title track 'Raise A Little Hell' broods and stalks the listener with a mixture of heaviness and melody in a mid-tempo killer of a track.

How The Answer have passed under the radar of the biggest radio stations, the biggest magazines and world domination is a mystery. On the evidence of 'Raise A Little Hell' the major music outlets should be clamouring to hang on their every word, every riff, every drum beat, every bass line and every song.

But, to those that have followed their career to date this is an affirmation of the adoration the County Down rockers deserve - and when it comes to their UK tour in March they can be assured that they'll find the devotees down the front in full voice.

 

Raise A Little Hell is released on Napalm Records on 9th March

The Answer play Belfast's Limelight on 6th March

Review by Jonny

The Answer awe Ahoghill with searing Screaming Eagles

THE Answer are a product of their environment, and that environment is in front of a live, awestruck audience, and there is no more an adulation than they receive in Ahoghill's Diamond Rock Club.

Last night (Saturday 25th January) the quartet of hard rockin' troubadors were on stage kicking the kinks out of their set before heading out on a lengthy 'Road Less Travelled Tour',  which as Cormac explains in the interview below will see them play venues that many bands miss out on tour schedules across the UK and Ireland.

He also explains how they are mixing things up, trying new interpretations of songs. Click the man's name to go to the Soundcloud file and hear all the frontman's thoughts ahead of the tour and six-string slinger Paul's thoughts: Cormac

Part of the plans for the tour as Cormac explained is to give local bands exposure and throughout the tour in Northern Ireland and Ireland will see a different support act every night.

Tonight at the Diamond Rock the Screaming Eagles hit the stage as if they had a point to prove - a point that many of the audience know all too well. A commitment to hard rocking blues infused power that has seen them win through on the Highway to Hell challenge which has earned them a prestigious slot at Hard Rock Hell. (Next week the Northern Ireland winners and contestants - The Screaming Eagles, Sinocence, Maverick and Baleful Creed will play at RockD in Limelight 2.)

With début album From the Flames well known to most of the audience, those not already fans of the 'Screagles' were quicky won over. Fight the Fire, Devil in the Dust, and Rock 'n' Roll Soul stood out in a well balanced set.

The key to real hard rock success is to play as if you are in front of a stadium crowd, no matter which stage you are on. The intimate Diamond setting saw Chris's dominant vocals and stage presence soar with Adrian's licks and moves showing a real winning attitude. Nailed down with Ryan and Kyle's rhythm section this was a simply searing show.

Playing to a sold out crowd is nothing new to The Answer, but when it is in a venue such as the Diamond there is a vibrant atmosphere, almost alive with an electric charge reeling across the heads of the crowd as they were awed by Cormac and his fellow rockers.

Kicking off with a surprise version of The Road Less Travelled the set quickly kicked into a high gear with the title track of the album New Horizon, a life affirming piece of excellence that sees almost the entire crowd singing along/.

While this shows was to road test new arrangements and the pace of the set, it also once again showed that the County Down have a lengthy set of material to draw upon, its breadth not diminshing the quality of the material.

However, no matter how great The Answer are on recordings (and they consistently are) they are a band that explode with a beautiful alchemy when they tread the boards. And with a cover of Rory Gallagher's Cradle Rock thrown in it was a night of celebrating the craft that is in all good rock.

With Cormac a cross between a yeti, tigger and the emobdiment of every great singer brought into one superb package, Paul and Micky traded rhythms and licks, with Paul's soloing and freedom to explore new approaches a feature of the show.

James's drums have always been pounding, and as Cormac explained before the show their (see interview above) 'heaviest song' Concrete kicked off with a well-timed drum solo before this slab of heavy rock theatened to shake the Diamond to its foundations as well as most of the village.

A new slower paced Nowhere Highway, the ode to youth that is Spectacular, Under the Sky and Dead of Night all raising the temperature, Memphis Blues was akin to a jam session to allow a short breather for the audience..

But as with everything on a warm-up show something inevitably goes awry - a missing slide for Paul's guitar meant the band's first attempt at Preaching was aborted - but with a storming version of Demon Eyes Cormac's trademark crouch on the floor with the audience still went ahead.

When it seemed the show was all but over, the slide was discovered and Preaching got underway, and every vocal chord in the Diamomd strained to join Cormac as he once again joined the audience in the middle of the floor to round off what was simply a demonstration of just how far The Answer have come. Great people, great musicians, a great performance - the audiences on the 'Road Less Travelled Tour are in for a hard rock treat.

Physicists now know what The Answer is...rock 'n' feckin' roll on a New Horizon

THE great sci-fi humourist Douglas Adams once postulated that the answer to life, the universe and everything could not exist in the same universe as the question...and as physicists across the globe struggle to find the answer to everything, we in Belfast know there is only one answer on the horizon and it is a New Horizon of rock 'n' roll.

The Answer are loud and proud; they are energised with their fourth album New Horizon storming to one good review after another; and on Friday, 11th October they kicked off a tour that is sure to lift them to yet loftier heights.

Opening for the County Down rockers were Cage The Gods. Drawn from across the British Isles they are a perfect fit as openers. Strong, blues influenced rock, delivered with panache plus the added bonus according to some of the ladies in the crowd of having an ample supply of eye candy on display.

With a few refinements to arrangements and stage craft Cage the Gods could be the real deal in a short period of time. It'll be worth seeing how their debut release works out when they release the ep 'Favourite Sin' in November.

But when it comes to great tunes, stagecraft and an overall fantastic live show The Answer have perfected their art.

After a difficult period in the band's history The Answer have emerged, strident and defiant with new management, new label and a new album worthy of anything other pretenders to their throne have released in the past decade.

And it was with the type of  fuck you attitude that makes everyone grin manically when they emerged on to the Limelight's stage with the title track of the album delivered with a malicious smile: they know how good it is, and it seems as if the crowd do too: for an album not long released there was an immediate mass singalong.

Cormac is perhaps in someways a throwback to when frontmen were expected to be jesters, leading the crowd in a merry dance in the best sense of the words; but to say he is a throwback misses the complements he deserves. He is not harkening back to yesteryear. He has almost helped re-invent the position of the lead singer; taking the best of the past with the best of the present.

And what a set of pipes he has - displayed to their best on the single Spectacular (which was performed with an air of almost soothing yearning for lost youth and youth still to be re-discovered), Concrete and standards like Preacher.that all encapsulate what is great about The Answer

That blend of old and new was balanced well. Long time fans know that The Answer can deliver; but the shot in the arm Toby Jepson seems to have given them on the new album has perhaps, taken them to the proverbial 'next level.

Mickey's bass in particular is allowed to flow freely, for once higher in prominence, allowing Paul's guitar work to develop yet more as he nods to heroes of the blues and rock with flourish after flourish; all the time when the ever grinning Mr Heatley behind the kit has a smile that threatens to split his face.

The Answer always seem to enjoy themselves on stage. No-one but their closest confidantes ever know what troubles and travails they have behind the scenes. But as they exited from the stage at the Limelight this first date of their European tour sees the band determined; focussed on one thing - rocking for all their worth. And they genuinely seemed to be enjoying this show as much as the crowd.

With hard rock enjoying something of a resurgence the ability of bands to stand out from the pack is ever more difficult. On the strength of this performance and the astounding new album the horizon has never seemed so bright a destination to chase for The Answer.

We know that the rest of the audiences on this tour are in for a treat -a superb performance from a superb band. Yes, we may be biased as they are from our neck of the woods, but even the most skeptical of observers cannot fail but be impressed by The Answer.

New Horizon is currently available on Napalm Records and you can catch The Answer right now as they tour the UK and Europe.

Horizon spanning 10-track epic from The Answer

THE gospel according to The Answer is simple - good times rock 'n' roll and with New Horizon the County Down foursome have hit the rock 'n' roll equivalent of a home run, a hat trick in a cup final, or a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Four albums into their 13-year career and it would be easy for a band to coast...not so The Answer.

New management, new label and a new attitude have brought New Horizon storming into the forefront of 2013 releases; a hard rockin' blast of traditional blues and groove with a twist and balls proudly out.

It is a cliché when a reviewer says that a band's release marks a statement of intent, but take a moment to listen to album opener and title track New Horizon...

The late Storm Thorgerson designed
the cover for New Horizon 

This is a song that shows a new dynamic to the band: sharper and focussed attitude but still with the trademark sound of The Answer. To put it another way, if New Horizon had been released in the rock heydays of the mid-80s LA record execs would be waving cheque books and masturbating at the thought of signing them...new label Napalm Records should be lying back enjoying collective orgasms at having them on their roster.

Throughout the album the sound feels newer, tighter, and for the first time since the debut release of Rise the live feel has been captured; producer Toby Jepson has managed to grab the four members of The Answer by their collective necks and wrung out of them what could be a defining moment in their career.

When we caught up with Cormac Neeson for an interview on September 3rd he told us how he felt about the release:

"I think it's out most focussed hard-hitting record so far and hopefully our audience will get it and get what we have to say."

Any fan of The Answer's previous work or any fan of straightforward hard rock will get what the band have to say.

Photo by Carrie Davenport

When the album opens it comes as a little bit of a surprise - in the best possible way - the freshness of Paul Mahon's riffing and the rhythm section of Micky Waters and James Heatley have achieved that knife edge balance between looseness and being tight as a shark's arse.

Waters bass is a revelation. At the right pitch and with a perfect tone it provides pure drive to complement and enhance the rock solid Heatley throughout the album.

Mahon also appears to have taken stock of his always apparent talent and let loose with every shred of his range. From the funk/blues of Leave With Nothing through to fuzzed out solos and concise playing he is the foil to the passion of Neeson's passion, weaving patterns through riffs, off-beat tones and drawing meat from his six-strings.

Of the lead-up to the recording Mahon explains that the cumulative touring and playing to mega-audiences with AC/DC has led to the expansive but tight 10-track New Horizon.

"After all that time on the road, our songwriting’s so much tighter, all the fat has been stripped away and we’re much more direct. songs that we had in that vein seemed to go down with their
audiences, and we took all of that on board," he said.

Of course one could be forgiven for falling for the hype of a publicist's press release amidst the welter of information; but this is an album where the most effusive praise will still fall short of what this album deserves.

Even the down-beat track Call Yourself A Friend is uplifting when its meat kicks in. And the obvious anger of Somebody Else - with its pulsing high tempo vibe - provides a life-affirming song for every disaffected rocker on the planet.

Lead single Spectacular, with its message to be what you can be truly captures the dreams of youth, and how you can always live up to what you want, is a balls-out track that most rock acts would kill for. Listening to the lyrics makes the controversial video - banned by Youtube, but available at the end of this review - make sense.

Tracks like Baby Love Me - co-written with Cosmo Jarvis - keep the blues roots to the fore, through to the album closer, Scream A Louder Love showcase a band at the top of the game.

Neeson explained his approach to lyrics that are multi-layered and at the same time universal truths.

"I wanted to present my message like a Northern Irish guy should, with no frills and totally in your face,” he said.

No frills and totally in your face is what The Answer have always been, and on New Horizon they have captured the elusive elixir of pure hard rock, distilled into 10-track excellence.

New Horizon is released on 30th September on Napalm Records.

The Answer open their UK tour in Belfast's Limelight1 on October 11th! We'll see you there!

The unedited version of the Spectacular video is available to view here.

The 'clean' version is below:

New Horizon dawns for The Answer

THE Answer have long been local stalwarts, favourites at home and getting more and more recognition across the world with big name support slots - now they are ready for the next stage of their career.

With a new label - Napalm Records - and latest release New Horizon set for release at the end of September we caught up with front man Cormac Neeson in the congenial surroundings of a Belfast hostelry before he headed off on a UK and US promotional tour.

Despite the changes the band are upbeat about the next step in The Answer's success story.

"The vibe is very positive right now, we're starting to get good reviews of the album," said Cormac. "We think it's our best one so far, but I'm sure every band says that about every record but I genuinely mean that.

"I think it's our most focussed hard-hitting record so far and hopefully our audience will get it and get what we have to say."

But to get here has not been an easy journey so far The Answer. There have been a difficult few years and with a change of label and severing some ties the band has had to look closely at the next phase of their career.

"At the end of the Revival cycle - our  last record - we had to make some tough decisions with our backroom staff and it was probably the first time in our careers that it didn't flow naturally," said Cormac.

"We had to alter the band's course and we parted ways with a few people we were close to, and for a brief moment you almost felt like a businessman making business decisions rather than a musician writing good songs and playing gigs. And that's not a nice feeling and we have to make sure this band thing works out because it [business 'stuff'] doesn't suit me!"

The result is the new album and he explained where they are now.

"We got over it and we channeled all of it into our new record and we think it is a better album for that. I suppose it's what any decent artist should do is use that as the fuel for their work."

One aspect of the character of the band that always shines through is The Answer's roots and their acknowledgement of their forebears in Northern Ireland.

"We're proud to be part of that tradition, with punk, metal, rock, blues, rhythm and blues and all that deserve a tip of the hat," said Cormac. "But we take that all on board and while we don't shy away from our roots we try to twist it into something new.

"And we make no bones about where we come from and what we've been listening to over the last 20 years."

And given that the band are born, bred and buttered in Northern Ireland, Cormac feels that he can reflect that.

"I feel that my Northern Ireland identity can make a band unique in the global market," he said. And as regards lyrics...

"For me by all means go ahead and singing about whatever aspect of Northern Ireland culture, society or whatever you want to sing about, it's part of what I throw into the pot. I'm not maybe as in your face as Stiff Little Fingers or bands like that but I don't try to sit on the fence."

When it came down to sitting down and writing the album the band took one bold step they have never done before.

"On this record, alongside the shake up of personnel we tried to shake up the writing process and the way we did things in the studio just to see where it led and if it hadn't worked out we could have gone back to what we have done for the past decade," he said.

"So for example this time we've co-written a few tracks with our producer Toby Jepson and co-written another track with a friend of ours called Cosmo Jarvis."

"The decision to co-write was a massive one for us because we're four strong minded people who are used to writing together and get into a rythm together and not pandering to anyone but the band.

"So to have a guy come in and say why don't you try this you're initially 'I wouldn't write a song like that in a million years' but then you give it a go and it's not far off the mark at all and once we put our stamp on it and as a result of that it's a much fresher album. There's a few songs on it that really hit the mark that would have taken us longer to achieve."

With the Limelight1 October 11th date on the cards as part of a wider tour thoughts are turning to the set.

"The main challenge is what to slot in from the new record and what older songs to put in for a balanced set.

"We've been rehearsing for the tour and every day we try a different set. We've that many songs we want to play every song but obviously we can't do that. It's like a jigsaw getting all the pieces together."

In promoting the tour and first single 'Spectacular' the band have become immersed in controversy with a video that was banned from Youtube because of its sexually explicit nature and scenes of smoking and drinking.

"Jesus, don't let my mother see it!" was Cormac's first comment, but he is pretty relaxed about the whole shebang.

"I see it as a true reflection of life. Just  because the political correctness says you can't show smoking and drinking on television doesn't mean it doesn't go on. The video is about going to a party and having a good time and listening to some rock 'n' roll music. I mean its not any wilder than most parties I used to find myself in - maybe I don't go to enough of those any more. It's just a reflection about young people having a good time and nothing more and nothing less."

Nothing less than hard driving hard rockin' music is what The Answer deliver, and with this new focus and the channeling of energies the album - review coming soon - and tour promises to take the band to the next level.

New Horizons is released on September 30th on Napalm Records, with the tour kicking off in Limelight1 on October 11th - tickets available from all usual outlets.

The full audio of the interview will be broadcast soon on www.rockradioni.co.uk