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.
Cursive Eve
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The words bind your mind and body
A false comfort of thin paper
Youâ??re claimed as unclean property
They say you need guilt to be good
Your brothers all remain blameless
Heart of snares and nets, hands as bands
Donâ??t look down on me
I donâ??t look up
Kneel
Here youâ??re not scared to die
Beg
Those dogs will lick and drink you dry
Kneel
Eat the pretty cursive lie
Beg
And you will not be scared to die
They say â??In you lives an Eveâ?? and
â??Thy desire rules over theeâ??
â??Thou shall not let witches liveâ??
The fiction binds your mind and body
Give you away to male angels
The leaders all remain shameless
Wash away rains ancient marking
Please beg yourself for forgiveness
Don't look down on me
I don't look up
Must thy sorrow multiply
Thy conception in sorrow
Thou shall live in the silence
With all subjection
He may hear false answers
He lets the voices in
Must thy sorrow follow
Visions in his head
The lyrics of I:Scintilla's song Cursive Eve speak about the struggle of a person who was born into the clutches of a religious system that tries to control their thoughts and actions. The first verse talks about how the person was "born wrapped in the pages" implying that they were born into a religious family or community that controlled their beliefs and actions. The "thin paper" represents the false comfort of religious dogma that binds the person's "mind and body" and they are regarded as "unclean property" by the system they were born into.
The second verse talks about how guilt is used to control this person and their brothers are "blameless" as they conform to the system. The heart of the religious system is depicted as a "snare and nets" and their hands as "bands." The reference to "nameless mass" is an indication of how individuals are not taken into account, and they are just a part of a collective group.
The chorus is a defiance of the system due to the disregard and mistreatment that the person has undergone. They state that they don't look up to the religious establishment and don't want to be looked down upon.
The third verse talks about how the religious system tries to control the person's desires and emotions, and the "fiction binds your mind and body." The person is further subjugated by being given away to "male angels," and the "shameless" leaders wash away "ancient marking" and expect the person to beg for forgiveness.
The song is a commentary on how religion is used to subjugate individuals, and the lyrics are inspired by the personal experiences of the lead singer, Brittany Bindrim.
Line by Line Meaning
You were born wrapped in the pages
Your upbringing was heavily influenced by the doctrines of religion
The words bind your mind and body
The teachings of religion have a profound impact on your beliefs and actions
A false comfort of thin paper
The sense of security religion provides is not entirely true, and can be easily lost
You're claimed as unclean property
As a follower of religion, you're subjected to the judgment of others who see themselves as pure
They say you need guilt to be good
The belief that one can only be good by feeling guilty is perpetuated by the doctrines of religion
Your brothers all remain blameless
Others around you are seen as faultless, creating a feeling of inadequacy and shame
Heart of snares and nets, hands as bands
The teachings of religion can trap you and restrict you in many ways
Classified as a nameless mass
Individuality is stripped away as religion seeks to control and unify its followers
Don't look down on me
Don't judge or belittle me because of your religious beliefs
I don't look up
I don't blindly follow religious dogma
Kneel
Here you're not scared to die
Beg
Those dogs will lick and drink you dry
Following religious practices and rituals can be an act of submission and a way to avoid facing the harsh realities of life
Eat the pretty cursive lie
And you will not be scared to die
Believing in religious fictions can provide a false sense of security and make death seem less frightening
They say 'In you lives an Eve' and
'Thy desire rules over thee'
'Thou shall not let witches live'
Religion can perpetuate negative stereotypes and beliefs about women, sexuality, and other groups
The fiction binds your mind and body
Mythical and false beliefs of religion can be constricting and harmful to your well-being
Give you away to male angels
The leaders all remain shameless
Wash away rains ancient marking
Please beg yourself for forgiveness
Submitting to the authority of religious leaders and beliefs can lead to a loss of personal agency and guilt
Must thy sorrow multiply
Thy conception in sorrow
Thou shall live in the silence
With all subjection
Religious teachings can cause deep emotional pain and suffering, particularly for women and marginalized communities
He may hear false answers
He lets the voices in
Must thy sorrow follow
Visions in his head
Believing in religious myths and delusions can lead to confusion, mental distress, and even violence
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.