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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



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. 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)

 

 

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This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]
Myles Maestro Dead End Road - EP [Syntax]
Make Sure Starry May Morning (independent)
SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


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