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Testament

Testament is an American thrash metal band formed in 1983 in the San Francisco Bay Area, originally under the name Legacy by guitarist Eric Peterson, his cousin Derrick Ramirez on guitar, and drummer Louie Clemente. The group changed its name to Testament in 1986 after discovering another band called Legacy, releasing its debut album The Legacy the following year and solidifying its place among the era's influential thrash acts through aggressive riffing, technical precision, and socially conscious lyrics. Featuring an original lineup of Peterson on rhythm guitar, Chuck Billy on vocals, Alex Skolnick on lead guitar, Greg Christian on bass, and Clemente on drums, the band toured extensively, including the 1990 Clash of the Titans package with Slayer, Megadeth, and Suicidal Tendencies, while navigating lineup shifts such as Skolnick and Clemente's departure in 1992. Testament's career highlights include a string of seminal albums like The New Order (1988) and Practice What You Preach (1989), which expanded their sound toward groove elements, and resilience amid adversity, notably Billy's recovery from a 2001 cancer diagnosis that briefly halted activities but led to reunions and renewed output. With Peterson and Billy as enduring constants, the band has produced fourteen studio albums to date, maintaining relevance in heavy metal via consistent touring and recent releases under Nuclear Blast Records.

Etymology and definitions

Origins and evolution

The English word testament first appeared in the late , borrowed from testament and ultimately derived from Latin testāmentum, denoting "a last will" or "the publication of a will." This Latin noun stems from the verb testārī, meaning "to make a will" or "to bear ," compounded from testis ("") and the agent suffix -ā-. The core idea reflects ancient Roman legal practice, where a will's validity required attestation by , emphasizing as the foundation of disposition. The root testis traces to Proto-Indo-European origins, linked to trei- ("three"), possibly alluding to a "" in disputes or the minimal number of witnesses needed for legal proceedings, though this etymological connection remains interpretive rather than definitive. By the period, testament retained its primary legal connotation as a formal of after , distinct from but related to terms like (from the same testis root, entering English around 1400). Over centuries, the term's meaning broadened beyond strict to include any enduring declaration or proof, such as "a living testament" to , influenced by its in theological translations. In the Latin Vulgate (completed circa 405 by ), testāmentum rendered Greek diathēkē ("" or "disposition"), extending the word to scriptural divisions by the 2nd century in Christian usage, though this secondary evolution pertains more to contextual application than core lexical shift. This semantic expansion underscores testament's enduring association with witnessed, binding declarations, evolving from juridical specificity to broader evidentiary and covenantal senses without altering its testimonial foundation. In legal contexts, a testament refers to a formal written by which a person, known as the , declares their intentions for the disposition of after . Historically, the term distinguished from a "will," which applied to such as land; this bifurcation arose in , with "testament" specifically addressing movable assets like money or goods. Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the phrases merged into "last will and testament" to encompass both real and personal property, reflecting the integration of feudal land laws with ecclesiastical oversight of personal estates. In contemporary common law jurisdictions, such as the United States and England, the terms are largely synonymous, with "testament" retaining formal usage in phrases like "last will and testament" to denote the complete document, including any codicils or amendments. For a testament to be valid, it typically requires the testator to be of sound mind and at least 18 years old (or of in the ), with the document executed in writing, signed by the testator, and attested by at least two disinterested witnesses present simultaneously. These requirements stem from statutes like the English Wills Act of 1837, which standardized formalities to prevent , and similar provisions in laws modeled on the Uniform Code adopted by over half of states by 2023. Testamentary dispositions contrast with non-testamentary transfers, such as joint tenancy or revocable trusts, which bypass . In systems, such as those in or , "testament" remains the primary term for any will, often classified into holographic (handwritten), notarial, or mystic forms based on execution method.

Broader connotations

In contemporary English usage, "testament" extends beyond its legal and religious senses to denote tangible proof, evidence, or a that attests to a particular quality, achievement, or conviction. This figurative derives from the word's Latin testamentum, meaning a formal or , emphasizing attestation rather than or . For instance, phrases like "a testament to " describe outcomes or artifacts—such as a community's after a disaster on record as of 2023 in reports from the —that serve as empirical demonstrations of enduring strength or efficacy. The term also functions as an expression of belief or , akin to a solemn of principles, though this usage remains less common outside rhetorical or literary contexts. In idiomatic expressions, it underscores causal links between actions and results, as in architectural or cultural critiques where enduring structures, like the 2,500-year-old in , , stand as testaments to ancient engineering prowess amid seismic and wartime damage documented in archaeological surveys. This broader application prioritizes observable over abstract , aligning with the etymological emphasis on witnessing, and appears frequently in journalistic and prose to highlight verifiable demonstrations of human endeavor or systemic reliability.

Religious contexts

Old Testament

The Old Testament constitutes the first division of the Christian Bible, encompassing ancient scriptures originally composed in Biblical Hebrew, with minor sections in Aramaic, and regarded by Christians as divinely inspired accounts of God's covenant with Israel prior to the advent of Jesus Christ. These texts narrate creation, the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the establishment of the monarchy and temple, prophetic warnings, and wisdom teachings, spanning genres from law and history to poetry and apocalypse. Scholarly estimates place the composition of its books between roughly the 12th century BCE (early poetic fragments like the Song of Deborah in Judges 5) and the 2nd century BCE (Daniel), reflecting oral traditions later redacted into written form amid Israel's historical experiences of exile and restoration. The Documentary Hypothesis, dominant in academic biblical studies since the 19th century, posits the Pentateuch (first five books) as a composite of four main sources—Jahwist (J, ~10th century BCE), Elohist (E, ~9th century BCE), Deuteronomist (D, ~7th century BCE), and Priestly (P, ~6th-5th century BCE)—compiled during or after the Babylonian Exile (586-539 BCE), though this model relies on linguistic and thematic criteria subject to ongoing debate and lacks direct manuscript evidence for the posited sources. In terms of canon, the Protestant Old Testament contains 39 books, aligning in content with the Jewish Tanakh () of 24 books but organized differently: the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy), Historical Books ( to ), Poetical Books (Job to Song of ), and Prophets ( to ). The Tanakh structures these as (Law), (Prophets), and (Writings), emphasizing a tripartite division finalized in Jewish tradition by the late 1st or early CE, as evidenced by references in (c. 93 CE) and the (c. 200 CE). Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions incorporate seven additional (Tobit, Judith, , Sirach, , and 1-2 ) plus expansions to and , drawn from the Greek translation (3rd-2nd century BCE), totaling 46 books; these were affirmed at councils like Hippo (393 CE) and (397 CE) but excluded from the Hebrew canon due to criteria of prophetic authorship and linguistic purity post-2nd century BCE. While Protestant reformers like (16th century) aligned with the shorter Hebrew canon to emphasize scriptural sufficiency apart from tradition, the variations stem from early Christian use of the broader , which included texts valued for historical and ethical insights but not universally deemed prophetic. The textual transmission of the involves multiple traditions: the (MT), standardized by Jewish scribes (, 7th-10th centuries CE) with vowel points and accents for preservation; the (LXX), an Alexandrian Greek version predating the MT by centuries and used by early Christians; and the Samaritan Pentateuch, diverging in about 6,000 variants. The of the Dead Sea Scrolls (1946-1956), dating from the BCE to 68 CE, includes fragments of every book except and demonstrates over 95% agreement with the MT in (the most complete scroll), underscoring textual stability despite minor variants attributable to scribal errors or intentional harmonizations. , employing comparative analysis of these witnesses, reconstructs probable originals by weighing external evidence ( age and provenance) against internal (contextual coherence), revealing that while no autographs survive, the core content has been reliably transmitted, with differences rarely affecting doctrinal essentials. Historically, the Old Testament's formation reflects Israel's self-understanding as a people, with texts serving covenantal, liturgical, and didactic roles in and worship by the Second Temple period (516 BCE-70 CE). like (divided into proto-, deutero-, and trito-Isaiah by scholars based on stylistic shifts, dated 8th-5th centuries BCE) and historical narratives (e.g., Samuel-Kings, compiled ~6th century BCE per Deuteronomistic History ) integrate theological interpretation of events like the (722 BCE) and Babylonian exiles. (Proverbs, ) draws from ancient Near Eastern parallels but asserts Yahweh's sovereignty over fate. In Christian usage, these scriptures foreshadow messianic fulfillment, as cited extensively in the (over 300 direct quotes), though Jewish interpretation maintains ongoing covenantal validity without supersession. Academic consensus, influenced by higher criticism since the , favors late redaction and pseudepigraphy (e.g., rejecting Solomonic authorship of Proverbs entirely, dated ~8th-3rd centuries BCE), yet conservative analyses highlight early linguistic strata and archaeological corroborations, such as the (9th century BCE) affirming "House of David."

New Testament

The is the collection of 27 texts forming the second major division of the , focusing on the ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and teachings of Jesus Christ, alongside apostolic letters and apocalyptic prophecy. These writings, originally composed in , emerged from the first-century Christian communities and were circulated as authoritative teachings by the late second century. Unlike the , which draws from ancient Hebrew traditions, the New Testament emphasizes fulfillment of Jewish prophecies through Jesus and the expansion of his message to Gentiles. The corpus divides into four Gospels narrating Jesus's life (, , Luke, ), the detailing early , 21 epistles offering doctrinal instruction and pastoral guidance (13 attributed to , including Romans through Philemon, plus , James, 1-2 , 1-3 , and ), and the envisioning eschatological events. This structure reflects oral traditions codified into written form, with the Gospels drawing on eyewitness accounts and the epistles addressing specific church issues like , , and . Authorship attributes the —Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, , Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon—to , with internal evidence of his style and references to historical events like his imprisonment supporting composition between AD 50 and 62. The Gospels lack internal author names, leading mainstream scholars to view them as works from the late first century, though early patristic sources like Papias (c. AD 130) ascribe to , to Peter's associate, Luke to 's companion, and to . Academic consensus often dates to AD 65-70, and Luke to AD 80-100, and to AD 90-110, based on assumptions of literary dependence and fulfillment post-AD 70 destruction; however, this overlooks earlier patristic attestations and the absence of explicit post-70 events, prompting revisionist arguments for pre-AD 70 dates across most texts to align with eyewitness proximity. Transmission relies on over 5,800 manuscripts, the earliest fragments dating to the second century (e.g., P52, a fragment c. AD 125), with complete codices like Sinaiticus (fourth century) preserving the full text. This abundance—far exceeding classical works like Homer's —enables textual reconstruction with 99.5% agreement on content, variants mostly minor (spelling, word order) rather than doctrinal. Canon formation unfolded gradually: the (c. AD 170) lists most , Athanasius's (AD 367) first enumerates all 27, and councils like Hippo (AD 393) and (AD 397) ratified them based on apostolic origin, , and widespread liturgical use, excluding texts like the Gospel of Thomas for gnostic divergences. This process countered heresies like , prioritizing documents tied to apostles or their associates over later forgeries. Mainstream scholarship, influenced by 19th-century higher criticism skeptical of supernatural claims, sometimes downplays early attestation in favor of fluid development, but patristic citations (e.g., over 89,000 in second-third centuries) demonstrate rapid core stabilization.
CategoryBooks
Gospels, , Luke,
History
Pauline EpistlesRomans, 1-2 Corinthians, , Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, , Philemon
General Epistles, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 ,
Apocalypse

Literature

Fictional works

"The Testament" is a 1999 legal thriller novel by American author , published by Doubleday on February 2. The story centers on Troy Phelan, an eccentric billionaire who, hours before committing , rewrites his will to disinherit his six children and leave his $11 billion estate to his illegitimate daughter Lane, a in the remote region of . Phelan's , Josh Stafford, dispatches washed-up Nate O'Riley to locate and inform Rachel, sparking a perilous jungle adventure amid family legal challenges and personal redemption arcs for the protagonists. "," published in 2019 by Canadian author as a sequel to her 1985 dystopian novel "," explores the theocratic regime of through the interleaved narratives of three women: Aunt Lydia, a high-ranking enforcer; Agnes, raised in ; and Daisy, smuggled out as an infant. Set 15 years after the original, the novel details internal dissent, , and the regime's potential downfall, culminating in revelations about the protagonists' connections. It won the , shared with "" by . "Testament," a 1975 thriller by American author David Morrell, depicts a family—Dr. Jonathan Reid, his wife, and young son—fleeing modern civilization after a nuclear apocalypse triggered by global conflict, pursued by survivalist enemies in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The narrative draws on themes of human endurance and societal collapse, influencing subsequent survival fiction. "The Testament of Mary," a 2012 novella by Irish author Colm Tóibín published by Scribner, presents a first-person account from the Virgin Mary reflecting on her son Jesus's life, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection, portraying her as a grieving mother skeptical of the emerging Christian narrative and resentful of the apostles' interpretations. The work, nominated for the Man Booker Prize, emphasizes historical realism over doctrinal fidelity.

Non-fictional and religious texts

The "testament" genre within ancient religious literature encompasses pseudepigraphical works attributed to biblical patriarchs or figures, framed as deathbed exhortations, ethical legacies, or revelatory discourses delivered to heirs. These texts, part of the , emerged primarily from Jewish Hellenistic circles between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century , though some incorporate later Christian or other interpolations. They typically feature moral admonitions against vices such as jealousy, lust, and , alongside promises of divine reward, apocalyptic visions, and narratives of supernatural encounters, serving didactic purposes rather than historical chronicle. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs represents the most extensive example, comprising twelve independent treatises purportedly composed by the sons of (Reuben through Benjamin) shortly before their deaths, circa 107–137 BCE in an original Hebrew form during the Hasmonean period. Each testament recounts the patriarch's life, confesses personal failings, warns descendants of corresponding sins (e.g., on , on ), and urges , love for and neighbor, and observance of the . Interwoven are eschatological prophecies, including dual messianic figures (priestly and kingly), which scholars attribute to a Jewish core later expanded with Christian insertions referencing as savior by the early CE. The work's composite nature—evident in linguistic shifts from to influences and theological tensions—reflects editorial layering, yet it influenced early and was cited approvingly by figures like . The Testament of Solomon, composed in Greek likely between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, purports to record King Solomon's account of subjugating demons via a divine ring to construct the Jerusalem Temple. It enumerates 72 demons (drawing from astrological and folkloric traditions), detailing their hierarchical ranks, thwartable powers (e.g., causing infirmities or tempting with idolatry), and angelic counteragents, culminating in Solomon's hubris leading to his downfall. This text blends Jewish wisdom lore with Hellenistic demonology, emphasizing Solomon's wisdom as a tool against spiritual adversaries, and circulated in Jewish, Christian, and magical grimoires, though excluded from canons for its late date and syncretic elements. Additional testaments include the (1st century BCE–1st CE), depicting Abraham's guided tour of heaven and earth, his evasion of death through angelic intervention, and ultimate submission, highlighting themes of and ; and the (1st–2nd century BCE), which amplifies the biblical Job's trials with demonic afflictions, magical artifacts from , and vindication, incorporating patience and almsgiving as virtues. These compositions, preserved in , Ethiopic, or Slavonic manuscripts, were not deemed canonical by or due to their pseudonymous authorship, post-exilic origins, and occasional esoteric content, yet they illuminate intertestamental Jewish thought on fate, sin, and redemption.

Film and television

Films

Testament (1983) is an American drama film directed by , released on November 4, 1983. The screenplay by John Sacret Young adapts a titled "The Last Testament" by Amen, focusing on Wetherly (), a mother in the suburban town of Hamlin, , whose family grapples with the aftermath of an unspecified nuclear exchange that obliterates major cities. With her husband Tom () away on business and presumed lost, maintains routine amid escalating radiation sickness, community funerals, and societal breakdown, emphasizing personal loss over geopolitical causes. The cast includes Ross Harris as son Brad, as daughter Mary Liz, and early appearances by and . Running 90 minutes and rated , the film avoids action sequences, instead deriving tension from quiet domestic devastation. Critics praised its restraint and emotional authenticity; awarded four stars, noting its focus on human-scale consequences without spectacle or villains. It holds an 89% approval rating on based on 46 reviews, with consensus highlighting its anchoring of nuclear fears in familial ordeal. received an Academy Award nomination for , underscoring the film's impact during anxieties. Produced on a modest budget, it reflects anti-nuclear sentiments prevalent in independent cinema. Other films bearing the title include Testament (2004, original French-Moroccan title Ten'ja), a directed by Hassan Legzouli about emigrant Nordine () returning to to fulfill his father's burial wish, encountering cultural tensions and romance; released May 10, 2004, it runs 80 minutes and was described as sweetly engaging but low-. A 2017 Testament, directed by Tim Ritter, follows Simon joining a religious movement after its leader's execution in a dystopian setting, earning a 4.5/10 rating from limited viewings. These lesser-known works contrast the 1983 film's prominence in discussions of apocalyptic .

Television series

Testament is a drama television series produced by that premiered on June 8, 2025. The show reimagines the Book of Acts from the in an alternate modern dystopian setting where the persists into contemporary times, blending biblical events with gritty, urban realism akin to a British council estate environment. It depicts a small group of early believers, filled with the , facing persecution as they propagate the amid a hostile imperial regime. The series stars Charles Beaven, Eben Figueiredo, Mogali Masuku, and Tom Simper in key roles portraying figures like and , with episodes structured around pivotal Acts narratives such as and early church expansions. Season 1 consists of eight episodes, initially available to Angel Guild members via the Angel app and website, emphasizing high-stakes drama, visual authenticity, and character-driven faith journeys without diluting scriptural fidelity. Production prioritizes a reverent tone, avoiding anachronistic liberties that could undermine the source material's historical and theological claims. Critical reception highlights the series' success in rendering ancient events accessible and compelling, with reviewers noting its balance of and in a faith-based production landscape often criticized for formulaic storytelling. As of October 2025, it holds a 7/10 rating on based on over 300 user votes, praised for thematic relevance while following Acts closely. , known for crowdfunded biblical adaptations, markets Testament as a movement-sparking , though its niche appeal limits broader mainstream discourse.

Music

Bands and artists

Testament is an American thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area, formed in 1983 under the name Legacy by guitarist Eric Peterson, guitarist Derrick Ramirez, and drummer Louie Clemente. The group changed its name to Testament in 1986 during the recording of its debut album The Legacy, released in 1987 via Megaforce Records, which established them as a key act in the Bay Area thrash scene alongside bands like Metallica and Exodus. Vocalist Chuck Billy joined in 1986 and has fronted the band continuously since, while Peterson remains the sole constant member across lineup shifts driven by personnel changes and health challenges, including Billy's recovery from cancer in 2001. The band's current lineup consists of on vocals, Peterson on , on (original member from 1983–1992 and since 2005), Steve DiGiorgio on bass (periods since 1998), and Chris Dovas on drums (since 2023). Testament has released 14 studio albums as of 2025, including the critically acclaimed (1989), which peaked at number 77 on the , and their latest Para Bellum via Records, maintaining their reputation for aggressive, technically proficient thrash with themes of war, society, and apocalypse. They have toured extensively with acts like and , influencing subsequent metal subgenres through their consistent output and live intensity despite multiple member departures, such as original drummer in the early 1990s. Testament also refers to Andrew Brooks, a hip-hop MC, , poet, and playwright born in and raised in , now based in . Active since the early , he gained recognition as a holder for human beatboxing and won the Urban Music in 2007 for his fusion of rap, , and addressing social issues, identity, and heritage. Brooks has produced works including the hip-hop album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice, the award-nominated play Black Men Walking (2018), and screenwriting for Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne (2023) and Disney+'s remake, often incorporating beatboxing into theatrical and multimedia formats. His multidisciplinary approach has earned residencies, such as Writer in Residence at the Royal Exchange Theatre in 2019, positioning him as a prominent figure in urban arts beyond traditional rap circuits.

Albums and songs

Testament's discography includes fourteen studio albums, with their debut The Legacy released in 1987 on , establishing their sound through aggressive riffs and themes of societal critique. Subsequent releases on , such as The New Order (1988) and (1989), expanded their commercial reach, with the latter exceeding 400,000 copies sold. Later albums shifted labels to , culminating in Para Bellum, their fourteenth full-length, released on October 10, 2025. The following table lists Testament's studio albums:
Album TitleRelease YearLabel
The Legacy1987Megaforce Records
The New Order1988Megaforce Records
Practice What You Preach1989
Souls of Black1990
The Ritual1992
Low1994
Demonic1997Burnt Offerings/Mayhem
The Gathering1999Spitfire Records
The Formation of Damnation2008
Dark Roots of Earth2012
Brotherhood of the Snake2016
Titans of Creation2020
Para Bellum2025
Notable songs from Testament's catalog include "Over the Wall" from The Legacy, frequently ranked among their top tracks for its high-energy riffing and anti-institutional lyrics. "Into the Pit" from The New Order exemplifies their mosh-pit anthem style and remains a live staple. "Practice What You Preach," the title track from their 1989 album, achieved significant popularity, garnering over 16,600 page views on Genius as their most viewed song. More recent tracks like "Down for Life" from The Formation of Damnation have amassed over 41 million Spotify streams, reflecting enduring fan engagement.

Video games

Notable titles

Testament (1997) is a horror-themed developed by for the platform, featuring gameplay similar to Doom with settings in graveyards, , and dungeons populated by fantasy monsters. Testament: The Order of High Human (2023) is a first-person incorporating and elements, developed and published by Fairyship Games for PC and consoles, set in the post-apocalyptic fantasy world of Tessara where players control a character exploring ruins and combating enemies using magic, bows, and swords. It was released on July 13, 2023, and received mixed reviews for its ambitious scope but criticized for technical issues and repetitive content. The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (2012) is an adventure game in the Sherlock Holmes series, developed by and published by Focus Home Interactive for PC, , and , involving puzzle-solving and investigation into a and in Victorian with Holmes and navigating moral dilemmas. It launched in 2012, utilizing an advanced engine for detailed environments and third-person perspective gameplay.

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