Reviewed by Dave Brassington

11 songs on 'Testament' and they're all good ones. Veteran producer Wayne Haun co-wrote three and there are a variety of topics dealt with throughout including the rapture ("Moses And Elijah"), a call to worship ("Let's Take A Moment"), sanctification ("Who I Could Have Been") and joy in the midst of suffering ("Sing In The Valley"). One particular standout is '90s country sounding "Who I Could Have Been" where Jared Stuffle takes the lead. As one reviewer explained, it is "easily one of the album's melodically strongest cuts, the song speaks of how Christ not only saves us from eternal condemnation but also the heartaches that sin causes along life's journey." I especially enjoyed the rather laid back and often quite country backing by a variety of top quality musicians, led by the inimitable Gordon Mote on piano. The country feel comes through with some tasty lead guitar picking, bits of banjo and enjoyable steel guitar. The whole thing fits well together though a couple of rather pedantic covers, "My Hope Is In The Blood" (originally recorded by the Primitive Quartet) and the convention classic, "The Harder The Battle, The Sweeter The Victory", bring the project down a notch.

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