Consecrator

The Christian thrash metal band Consecrator was formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in late 1989 by James Chavez, Ashley Lawhon, Glenn Johnson and Steve Tidwell. At that point they were called Hit And Run and played cover songs from various heavy metal bands as well as a few originals written by themselves. They were to change the band name to Seventh Angel and then Sacrament but they found that both names were already taken by other bands. Finally they became Consecrator.
After rehearsing for about six months they began playing live and started off on a high note by winning a local Battle of the Bands contest. In mid 1990 Consecrator recorded their first 4-track demo in just one day together with James McWilliams of local thrashers Killing Speed. The demo was very well received in Christian metal circles worldwide. In early 1991 guitarist Steve Tidwell decided to part ways with the band just one week before the band was to open up for Believer in Kansas City, Missouri. Several guitarists were tried out but none was capable enough so in the end James McWilliams stepped in to help them out with a few live shows.
Consecrator recorded a song called "Free From Death" in early 1991 with McWilliams on guitars which was sent to REX Records in order to get a record deal. Nothing materialized although REX did release the song on their compilation album Demolition. Late that year they recorded their second demo "Image of Deception" at their practice space on an 8-track half inch reel to reel, once again in just one day. By now McWilliams had moved to Dallas in order to pursue a more lucrative musical career. In his place Ray Hillner of STS (70X7) stepped in.
Following the second demo Consecrator played frequent live shows but in late 1993 they decided to split up as Glenn Johnson left the band. Guitarist James Chavez and his wife as well as Ashley Lawhon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1997 but eventually Chavez was to return to his hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas. In 2005 Bombworks Records re-released their two demos on CD. James Chavez and Rob Ojeda tried to resurrect Consecrator, but many factors did not allow for this to happen.