Review: Trailight – Sophia

Style: Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal (clean vocals)
Review by: Mike
Country: Canada
Release date: November, 27 2020

Trailight is the progressive rock project of Omer Cordell with Sophia being his 3rd full length album over the last decade. Although primarily a bassist, Omer is a multi-instrumentalist and performs the majority of the music found on his new album Sophia. He proves capable throughout the record and his performances never felt lacking. Cordell is also known within certain metal circles for his photography, working in the past with Devin Townsend/SYL, Meshuggah, and Fear Factory.

Sophia opens with “Eon”, a short intro track that still manages to drag on too long. It’s basically just a slow, repetitious guitar line over some faint keys. The track doesn’t really add much and I found myself skipping over it on subsequent listens. The first full song “Aftershock” is a mid tempo rocker that has an interesting riff with different variations between the intro/outro and the choruses. The track is a good introduction to the album’s vocal style, which is frequently harmonized throughout. “Truth” has a bubbly melodic chorus but darker, more rhythmically centric verses.

“The Three Waves” is where the album starts to get a little more interesting. The first half of the track has some folk influences in the stripped down way and it works. About 2 ½ minutes in a crunchy riff enters which builds and climaxes with some harsh vocals. These are rare for the album and make more of an impact due to their contrast with Cordell’s standard vocals. “Sleepwalkers” is built around a vaguely middle eastern vibe that runs throughout the song and ends with an awesome head-banging section. “Island” is a full 4 minute instrumental acoustic interlude. While it doesn’t feel out of place, it does run a little long; I’d like to have seen about a minute or so shaved off.

“Up In The Air” has an alluring chorus where the vocal melody follows the guitar part or vice versa. “Dance” is a return to the more delicate, folk aspect in a sort of Blind Guardian kind of way. Closer “Birth” serves as a fitting finish to the album since it covers both the heavier and lighter styles seen throughout.

All the components are present for what is required of a competent record. The production is clean and refined. The songwriting is not blazing any trails but it is catchy when it needs to be. The performances are capable (especially considering it’s a one-man project) but this album isn’t about virtuosity. Cordell as a vocalist is not particularly impressive but his harmonized style has a freshness to it that adds character. Overall, I enjoyed Sophia but it’s a modest album that won’t generate a lot of excitement even from those that do appreciate it.

Recommended tracks: The Three Waves, Sleepwalkers, Up In The Air
Recommended for fans of: Arena, Tyr, Soen
Final verdict: 6/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook

Label: Independent

Trailight is:
– Omer Cordell – Bass, Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Guitars, Keys
– Cory McBain – Lead guitar on “Aftershock”
– Scott Heatley – Lead guitar on “Sleepwalkers”
– Conan Freeman – Voice on “Eon”
– Cody Callon, Nicole Haworth, Meris Williams, Charity Champagne – Gang vocals on Up In The Air
– Meris Williams, Andrea Rayburn – Backing vocals on “Dance”
– Dave Padden – Additional guitars