To date, they have released four studio albums and four EPs.
History
Early Years and The Approach (2002-2004)
I:Scintilla was conceptualized in Champaign, IL in Jim Cookas' bedroom in October 2002. In January 2003, Chad Mines joined the group as bassist followed shortly by Jason Allen on guitar and programming in March. Upon formation, they immediately began writing their debut album, The Approach while still searching for a vocalist. Many singers were auditioned before finding Brittany Bindrim, who they found to be a perfect fit. The album was finished and self-released on July 29, 2004. The album contained early versions of many songs that would appear on later albums.
Alfa-Matrix and Havestar (2005-2006)
After a previously full year of nonstop live performances, I:Scintilla was discovered and signed by Belgian electro label Alfa-Matrix. In March 2005, Jason Allen left the band and Chad Mines moved to guitar. Bethany Whisenhunt was brought on to play bass.The band continued to work on the release of its first EP, Havestar, while providing material for a future full-length album.
The Havestar EP was released by Alfa-Matrix in the summer of 2006. In addition to a few re-mastered songs from The Approach, remixes by Combichrist, Diskonnekted, Neikka RPM, Implant, and Klutae are included.
The Havestar EP also highlights the first collaboration with producer and artist Wade Alin, who is known for music works Christ Analogue, The Atomica Project, and Scanalyzer. This collaborative process adds a consistent working sound quality that carries forward to I:Scintilla's following full-length album Optics.
After its release, Havestar peaked at #13 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 20 Singles list.
Optics and The Immortal Tour (2007-2008)
I:Scintilla released their second full-length album Optics in June 2007. The album consisted of many older, reworked songs as well as multiple new releases. Optics was released in single-CD format as well as a two-disc edition, containing a second disc entirely of remixes by bands such as Combichrist, Clan of Xymox, and Ego Likeness.
While this album was being made, Mines and Whisenhunt departed the band. Instead of replacing the members, Jim Cookas began programming the bass parts and played all of the guitar parts.
Optics peaked at #6 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 10 Albums list, and was featured in multiple alternative magazines. Preceding the album release, I:Scintilla performed at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in May 2007.
I:Scintilla joined with the then-Tallahassee-based darkwave band The Crüxshadows and Canadian electro act Ayria for the U.S. stretch of The Crüxshadows' Immortal Tour in 2008. At this point, the band incorporated two new members, Justin Pogue (keytarist) and Vincent Grech (drums). Up until then, the drums had all been done through a drum machine.
Dying & Falling (2009-2011)
In 2009, keytarist Justin Pogue left the band and moved to Florida, where he was a DJ under the name DJ Halon at the now-closed Club Rayn's popular Industrial music and Alternative Rock night, Blue Monday. In the band he was replaced by Brent Leitner (guitar/programming).
On December 4, 2009, I:Scintilla released an EP titled Prey On You. The EP contained three new songs and five remixes of these songs. Two songs, Prey On You and Ammunition, were later released on I:Scintilla's third full-length album Dying & Falling (formerly called Redshift), which was released on November 26, 2010. Like Optics, this album was released with a single disc version and a limited edition containing a second disc. This second disc contained the third song from the Prey On You, another previously unreleased track, and nine remixes.
Over the next year I:Scintilla toured lightly, with most of their shows being in their hometown of Chicago. Around December 2012, Brandon Chase was brought in to fill the long empty bass position, making the band a quintet. However, he left I:Scintilla the following August to focus on his own bands.
The Marrow EPs (2012-Current)
In 2012, I:Scintilla announced they would be releasing a series of EPs entitled "Marrow". The first of these EPs, Marrow 1, was released on October 15, 2012. This album was a dramatic change in musical styles. Abandoning their signature metal-electronica style, this album had a more acoustic sound to it. With five tracks, Marrow 1 contained one new song, Drag Along, two reworked versions from songs previously on Dying & Falling, as well as two covers.
Shortly after the December 12, 2012 release of Marrow 1, a new single was digitally released containing a new song, Skin Tight, and two remixes of Skin Tight. A month later, I:Scintilla announced a remix contest for Skin Tight as well as a new album, Marrow 2. The winning remix artist would have their song featured on the upcoming album. The band received 64 submissions and allowed their fan base to vote on which song should be included on the album. The votes were cast in a unique fashion counting cash donations as votes. All proceeds from the votes were donated to the Amnesty International charity.
Marrow 2 was released on May 2, 2013 and marked a return to their signature style. The album contains four new studio recordings as well as four remixes.
In January 2013, Brittany Bindrim launched her own company, Black Dove Design Company. The company focuses on graphic design, programming, and fine arts. The Marrow series album covers are all illustrated by Brittany and are part of her illustration portfolio for Black Dove.
On September 21, 2018, i:Scintilla released Swayed, their first full-length studio album in nine years.
Ammunition
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to take me out twisted hate
Trap of lies took you down
Because you had to taste the bait
Red as blood and vague as the sky
I can’t believe the things you deny
Take it out on me to pass it through
Re-rejected, smoke curling
Clearly I must’ve got to you
Running the course, outside the line
You carve respect, from the swine
Keep your enemies close?
I say push them aside
Let you choke on the dust of
Your hate and your pride
Your failure is a fire
It’s killing you inside
Can’t you leave this where you
Left integrity behind
Who’s laughing?
Who’s laughing now?
Red as blood, and vague as the sky
I can’t believe, the things you deny
I’ll learn to use the flames
Keep feeding the inferno
Burning you inside
Burning up your mind
I won’t feed your guilt
I won’t feed your greed
I won’t feed your anger
Who’s laughing now?
Burning you inside
Burning out your mind
It’s killing you inside
The song "Ammunition" by I:Scintilla is a powerful piece about the aftermath of a hurtful and failed relationship. The lyrics portray the idea of jealousy, hate, and insecurity that can develop after a break-up. The persona of the song talks about how they were betrayed by their ex-partner and their feelings of rejection and anger. The chorus provides a message of empowerment and self-preservation. The persona expresses their desire to move on and not feed into their ex-partner's negative emotions, which is depicted in the line, "I won't feed your guilt, I won't feed your greed, I won't feed your anger."
Throughout the song, the persona also talks about the idea of denial and how their ex-partner cannot accept the reality of what has happened between them. The line "Red as blood and vague as the sky, I can't believe the things you deny" highlights this theme. Additionally, the idea of reputation is also discussed in the song. The persona addresses how some individuals "carve respect from the swine," implying that people will take advantage of others and their circumstances to boost their social status.
Line by Line Meaning
Envy’s blade, Ego plague
The harmful effects of envy and ego are evident
Tried to take me out twisted hate
The singer was targeted because of someone's twisted hatred
Trap of lies took you down
The person who targeted the singer was taken down by their own trap of lies
Because you had to taste the bait
The person was caught in their own trap because they couldn't resist taking the bait
Red as blood and vague as the sky
The situation is both brutal and unclear
I can’t believe the things you deny
The person refuses to acknowledge the truth
Thankless art, loveless heart
The person has no appreciation or love for others
Take it out on me to pass it through
The person is taking out their negative emotions on the artist
Re-rejected, smoke curling
The person feels rejected again and is visibly upset
Clearly I must’ve got to you
The artist's words or actions have affected the person in some way
Running the course, outside the line
The person is trying to gain respect in unconventional ways
You carve respect, from the swine
The person is gaining respect from the wrong crowd
Keep your enemies close?
Is it wise to keep enemies close?
I say push them aside
The singer believes that enemies should be kept away
Let you choke on the dust of
The person is being told to suffer the consequences of their actions
Your hate and your pride
The person's negative emotions are causing harm to them
Your failure is a fire
The person's failures are causing them internal harm
It’s killing you inside
These negative emotions are causing significant harm
Can’t you leave this where you
The person is being asked to leave their negative emotions behind
Left integrity behind
The person has lost their integrity
Who’s laughing?
Is anyone laughing?
Who’s laughing now?
Is anyone laughing at the situation now?
I’ll learn to use the flames
The singer will use their own fire to their benefit
Keep feeding the inferno
The artist will continue to fuel their own passion and motivation
Burning you inside
These negative emotions are causing significant harm to the person
Burning up your mind
These negative emotions are consuming the person's mind
I won’t feed your guilt
The singer will not contribute to the person's feelings of guilt
I won’t feed your greed
The artist will not contribute to the person's greed
I won’t feed your anger
The artist will not contribute to the person's anger
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
larrygolad
Excellent song! That's what i am looking for in industrial/cyber metal.
HEXcellerate
An acquaintance of mine introduced me to this act yesterday. I have to say, I'm really impressed.
KnLs
Love her voice!
AlliesteЯetseillA
Saw them, last year, and had no idea who they were. They put on an awesome show, them and Cruxshadows at D*Con.
Tom Staton
This track is probably the apex of Industrial for me. Fast, aggressive, crisp, and precise. I long searched for the perfect band that does heavy, industrial, fast paced music with a female vocalist that didn't scream or get throaty... This group, this track... it is both cake and icing to my musical tastes with an exclamation mark to finish the deal. Been a fan for a long time.
xQmausx
Kick-ass song and video, you guys! Excellent work! Love it! Qmaus/Jamie
Philip Shade
Sad I missed y'all on Electronic Saviors tour. This video and track really rock.
Vapor Trollmann
Another High Energy Classic! Awesome!
7GoThIc7RoCkEr7
This is the SICKEST shit i have ever herd in a very LONG time!! I:Scintilla is my new favorite band!!
Coral Bapple-Rose
love it!!