Sturm also fronted Flyleaf, the first female-led act to lead the list.
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 Texas rock band Flyleaf, debuts at No. 1 on Hard Rock Albums (dated March 5) with Life Screams, her first solo set, which starts with 9,000 sold, according to Nielsen Music.
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With her chart-topping bow, Sturm becomes the first solo female to top the tally, which began with the June 28, 2007, ranking (the first No. 1? The Smashing Pumpkins' Zeitgeist). Life Screams is also the eighth chart-topper from a female-led act, the first being (guess who?) Flyleaf's Memento Mori, in 2009.