Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Testify

Stratiotis
Testify

Street Date: August 10, 2016
Style: Rock / Southern Rock
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3


Boasting an older style of rock and roll with a self-defined "southern fried" sound, Stratiotis is a band that with a bluntness that is often hard to find in the Christian music industry. Their second album, Testify, calls out Christians for watering down the message of the Gospel ("Testify"), preachers for being corrupt ("Preacherman") and young men playing with the hearts of young women ("Daughter"). These topics are all handled with a righteous anger, but the messages are even more powerful in the context of the album because lead singer Jarrod Donnan is not afraid to fess up to his own shortcomings as well. For example, on "Rundown" Jarrod sings with his deep southern/post-grunge vocals "Thought I was a wise man / knew what was best for me... but the Lord gonna run me down." All these convictions are born out of a sense of deep gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross--a message that is boldly proclaimed on every song. The mixing on Testify is balanced with every instrument being clear, while still allowing each musical element to shine at the right time (such as highlighting the explosive guitar solo on "Judge") but the production quality isn't up to 2016 standards. Unfortunately, this quality, along with Jarrod's post-grunge vocals, the style of music, and the bluntness of the lyrics (most of which are good things), gives this album a somewhat dated feel. If you don't mind that, this album is an absolute gem.

- Review date: 9/5/16, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!


 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 9 tracks: 32 minutes, 00 seconds
. Street Date: August 10, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Testify (3:41)
  2. Boy (3:26)
  3. Rundown (3:15)
  4. Daughter (3:49)
  5. Judge (3:41)
  6. Preacherman (4:00)
  7. Slave (3:34)
  8. Stuff (3:38)
  9. Seed (3:14)

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images