Through the Eyes is the first major label studio album by the American rock band Flaw. The album was released on October 30, 2001 on Universal, Uptown and Republic Records. Described as nu metal, Through the Eyes has melodic vocals, aggressive guitar riffs, screaming, melodic instrumentation and lyrics drawn from the childhood and adolescence of vocalist Chris Volz, who dealt with his adoptive mother's suicide, rebellious behavior and a formerly troubled relationship with his father. Some songs were soft and melodic whereas some other songs were heavy and featured screaming. Lyrics often are about topics like Volz' adoptive mother's suicide, trauma, frustration and stoicism. Flaw began in 1996, when the vocalist Volz answered an advertisement placed by band guitarist Jason Daunt for another guitarist. The band then recorded their first independent record, American Arrogance. In 2000, Flaw was noticed by Republic and Universal Records and signed a record deal. With producer David Bottrill, they recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles in early 2001. To promote Through the Eyes, Flaw released "Payback" and "Whole" and recorded music videos for the singles. Through the Eyes had moderate success, reaching number 119 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Heatseekers chart. The album sold more than 150,000 copies. Through the Eyes received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its vocals and instrumentation. Background and recording Many lyrics on Through the Eyes are drawn from Chris Volz' difficult childhood and adolescence. When he was 11 or 12 years old, his adoptive mother committed suicide. Volz began to embrace aggressive rock music and rebel against authority figures, including his teachers and his father, Joe. Joe sent Chris to military school, but Chris ran away. Joe then sent his son to several youth detention centers and, when Chris was 14, to a long-term drug rehabilitation center. Young Volz ran away from the center, and was picked up by police and placed in another juvenile detention center. The court ruled that Volz was not a candidate for rehab and Joe was ordered by the police to take him back, which embittered him toward his son. As Volz grew older, his relationship with Joe improved and his father was the best man at his wedding. Flaw formed in 1996, when guitarist Jason Daunt placed an advertisement for another guitarist and Volz answered. They then recorded their first independent record, American Arrogance in 1997. In