Lacey Sturm - "Kenotic Metanoia"
Life screams, but so does she
Lacey Sturm is the vocal powerhouse behind Flyleaf’s first three albums. The Christian Hard Rock band found reliable success over those three albums, which released between 2005 and 2012. Sturm left Flyleaf in 2012, and they’ve only released one additional album, in 2014, with a different vocalist, and Sturm rejoined in 2022. During that decade, Sturm put together a band to support a solo effort, featuring her husband, Josh Sturm, on lead guitar.
That solo effort resulted in Life Screams in 2016, which, honestly, blew away pretty much everything Sturm had ever produced with Flyleaf. Naturally, I was very interested in the inevitable followup. And after seven years, we finally have it: Kenotic Metanoia.
The sizzling sophomore solo album is worth the wait for Sturm’s fans, without a doubt. Sturm’s vocals are as lively and aggressive as ever, and it’s supported by phenomenal instrumentation and strong melodies. It is definitely still Hard Rock, sometimes veering close to Alt Metal, with Christian subtext running through much of the album.
But don’t let that last sentence fool you. Sturm is a powerhouse and she doesn’t hold back. Calling this album (or Life Screams) “Christian Rock” would give entirely the wrong impression. The Christian Rock you expect doesn’t scream like Sturm does at several points in the album.
The album contains fifteen tracks, but it is bookended by an intro and outro titled “My Heartbeat”. Which, combined, take up just over three minutes of the album’s 57-minute playtime. The album, proper, starts off strong with “State of Me”, which exudes this tense, desperate energy, especially in the vocal melody and delivery. This is followed by “Are You Listening” and “The Decree”, both competent, solid songs – especially “The Decree”, which provides the first real hints of what this album truly holds.
But the meat of Kenotic Metanoia really begins with “Terrible Mistake”, an almost six minute opus track which kicks off the best section of the album, including “Wonderful”, a cover of Neil Young’s “A Man Needs a Maid”, and “Thief”. Even with the slight dip in quality with “Not Your Fight” and “Awaken Love”, these are still excellent songs, especially the latter’s use of violin, which serves to foreshadow the Lindsey Stirling feature still to come.
And then there’s “Reconcile”, a technically powerful track with some proggy elements in the execution. It’s one of the best tracks on the album, for sure.
“(I Died)” is swimming with meaning, which I’m still working on deciphering, but it’s a solid song, and it’s followed by the incredible “Breathe With Me”, the aforementioned Lindsey Stirling feature. The album then ends with “End The Wars”, a ballad which states there’s only one war left for the speaker – the one for her own heart. Naturally, this one is thick with faith, but it also sheds light on the title of the intro/outro.
It also sheds light on the album’s title, especially when paired with tracks like “(I Died)”. “Kenosis” is the concept of repressing and denying your own human will and desire; “metanoia” is an ancient Greek word for changing your mind which has been used, in the field of psychology, to describe the process of going through a psychotic breakdown and then a positive rebuilding or healing process.
The concerning thing here is that this concept, paired with the lyrics of “(I Died)” could be used to support conversion therapy – something Sturm has been accused of in the past.1 However, there is nothing that blatantly supports it and, as vague as the lyrics are, “(I Died)” could also be used to support people coming out as trans or just doing your average Christian baptism thing.2
What I am certain of is that the album’s primary motifs are transition and personal growth. “Reconcile” feels incredibly introspective and deconstructive. And the inclusion of “A Man Needs a Maid”, historically a controversial song, feels intentional – as does the nature of the cover, with the flat, almost dissonant note used on the legato singing of the word “maid” sounding almost accusatory. It’s a very feminist, judgmental rendition of the song, I think.
Overall, the album is incredibly solid. I’m an out-and-out atheist, myself, but I can’t help but to love everything Sturm produces.
Rating: Blue
I’ve been looking; I can’t find anything solid on that front. This rating will change to Black if I should find anything where she clearly states she supports conversion therapy.
EDIT (1/18/24): It seems “(I Died)” is based on Romans 6 and the concept of baptism as a spiritual rebirth. So, yeah, average Christian baptism thing.