Ex- Flyleaf Singer Lacey Sturm Becomes First Solo Woman to Top Hard Rock Albums Chart

For the first time in its nearly nine-year history, Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart welcomes a No. 1 by a solo female. Lacey Sturm, best known as the former lead singer of rock band Flyleaf, debuts at No. 1 on Hard Rock Albums with Life Screams, her first solo set.

Sturm becomes the first solo female to top the chart, which began with the June 28, 2007 ranking. Life Screams is also the seventh chart-topper from a female-led act, the first being (guess who?) Flyleaf's Memento Mori, in 2009.

Sturm is also the 10th solo artist (joining nine males) to top the chart and the first since Slash led with World on Fire in October 2014.

On other Billboard charts, Life Screams opens at Nos. 7 and 8 on Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums, respectively. It starts at No. 74 on the Billboard 200.

Life Screams is the first record Sturm has released since her departure from Flyleaf in 2012; the act has since continued with a new lead singer, Kristen May (formerly of the band Vedera).

"Impossible," Sturm's lead solo single, is currently rising at rock radio, ranking at No. 29 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart.

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Flyleaf's Lacey Sturm Releases 'Life Screams' Today And Tops Charts

Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated frontwoman of Flyleaf (through 2012), Lacey Sturm, returns to music as a solo artist with Life Screams.  The album is being lauded by critics as the lead single, "Impossible," enters the Active Rock chart top 30 and continues to climb.  The new album currently sits atop the iTunes Rock charts.

Wow!!!!!
Life Screams is #1 on @itunesmusic Rock Charts!!!!!!!!! It's all because of you. Thank… https://t.co/3UlHkAlRcY

— Lacey Sturm (@LaceySturm) February 12, 2016

Lacey joined Kayla Riley in SiriusXM's studio for an interview and acoustic performance of "Impossible" and more new songs from Life Screams. The resulting SiriusXM "Octane Unleaded" show airs today at 3:00 pm EST with encore airings this week.

Lacey also electrified "Impossible," as well as the Life Screams track "Rot," for a "Rising on Yahoo! Music" video feature that hit online yesterday and can be seen along with an exclusive interview here.

"There is a striking intensity in the singing voice of Lacey Sturm that is both captivating and instantly memorable," says Yahoo! Music executive editor, David Di Martino.

"A superb set that sonically carries on from her work with Flyleaf, Sturm's new album offers up a compelling array of emotional, hard-rocking tracks with just the right amount of edge--the lyrics, the vocals, the unique, tactical screaming bursts--that truly is a whole new thing, but familiar enough to please even the most ardent Flyleaf loyalists," continues Di Martino. "Significantly, that husband/guitarist Josh Sturm is an integral part of the mix now makes Life Screams very much a family affair. To its benefit."

Flyleaf's New CD 'New Horizons' Will Be Last With Current Lead Singer

Flyleaf announced the departure of long time singer Lacey Sturm today. The band's final album with Lacey, New Horizons, will be out on October 30. Kristen May, formerly of the band Vedera, will be stepping in as the band's lead singer for tour dates in support of the new CD.

Lacey commented on her departure:

"I have been beyond blessed to be in Flyleaf for the past ten years, touring with 4 amazing men and the Flyleaf crew, whom I love like my flesh and blood family. They have all given so much. It took everyone on our team to make the beauty in Flyleaf possible. I am honored to have met so many wonderful people who love Flyleaf music all over the world. Your incredible stories continue to inspire me. I am very thankful to have recently become a mom to one of the greatest blessings of my life, my son Jack. You may have also heard that we recently lost our brilliant sound engineer, Rich Caldwell, in a devastating car accident. Now, more than ever, I understand the phrase Memento Mori. I understand that, for me, living life to the fullest in this season means to step down as the lead singer for Flyleaf. I wish the best to Jared, Pat, Sameer and James and I know that as I continue to pursue the highest heights of what I am created for, it will free them all to pursue that for themselves too. 

The guys will continue to tour and write music together. I'm so very grateful that they are able to do what they desire and that there is a beautiful and talented, warm hearted girl like Kristen May to sing for them. Because of this, you will all get a chance to see a new Flyleaf show and support the new album. 

As I take this first step on a new journey, I pray that each one of you would pursue your highest calling with reckless abandon as well, understanding that sometimes the fullness of life comes in doing things that are only understood by you, God, and the special people God has put in your life that truly love you for you… not for what you do, but for who you are. I love you guys so much and in many ways, I will stay in touch. May God bless you all with healthy hearts, full of courage to weather the journey to your own New Horizons."