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.
Omen
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swallowed pages of psalm
You threw verve over the edge to generate a calm
The house is much too quiet
Sometimes the days get so dark
Days mirror starless nights
When ending illusion is too hard
Instincts screaming
Wakeup and hold on
Please keep breathing
Tired of being strong
In search for higher ground
When the burden's pouring down
Please keep breathing
Consumed the history to control your demise
Counting the seconds to be embraced by the sky
This house is much too quiet
Past the crowd I felt you crack
From over a hundred miles
Turn around please come back
The omen feels so wrong
Instincts screaming
Wake up and hold on
Please keep breathing
Tired of being strong
In search for higher ground
When the burden's pouring down
Please keep breathing
Hold on, this is the call, reach out before slow descending
Black dawn, block the fall, this cannot be the ending
Defeat, deceit, slow repose, given one more chance
Fleeting, retreat, yellow rose, come take my hand
The song "Omen" by I:Scintilla is about a feeling of dread and foreboding that is difficult to shake off. The opening lines describe someone who is trying to control their thoughts by driving "brio" under their tongue and swallowing pages of psalm. They are trying to generate a sense of calm, but it doesn't always work. The house is too quiet, and the days are dark, mirroring the starless nights. The lyrics suggest that ending an illusion can be difficult, but it is necessary.
The chorus describes the feeling of wrongness that the singer experiences. Their instincts are screaming at them to wake up and hold on. They are tired of being strong and are searching for higher ground. The burden is pouring down on them, but they need to keep breathing.
The second verse describes someone who has consumed history to control their demise. They are counting the seconds until they can escape the world and be embraced by the sky. The house is too quiet, and the singer pleads for them to come back. The song ends with a plea to hold on, to reach out before a slow descent, to block the fall of the black dawn, and to take the singer's hand.
Overall, the song is about a feeling of dread and the struggle to shake it off. It is about the importance of holding on and not giving up. The lyrics are powerful and emotive, conveying a sense of desperation and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Drove brio under tongue
I hid my bravery and courage within me to keep it safe and out of sight
Swallowed pages of psalm
I read and internalized religious texts to cope with my struggles
You threw verve over the edge to generate a calm
You sacrificed your energy and enthusiasm to create a sense of peace
The house is much too quiet
The atmosphere is tense and unsettling
Sometimes the days get so dark
Life can be really difficult and hopeless
Days mirror starless nights
My experiences during the day are as bleak as the darkest of nights
When ending illusion is too hard
When confronting reality and letting go of fantasies is too painful
The omen feels so wrong
A sense of foreboding is overwhelming
Instincts screaming
My intuition is warning me of danger and urging me to act
Wakeup and hold on
Wake up to the reality and hold on to hope
Please keep breathing
Stay alive and don't give up
Tired of being strong
I am exhausted from pretending to be brave and resilient
In search for higher ground
I am seeking a way to escape and rise above the challenges
When the burden's pouring down
When the difficulties seem unbearable
Consumed the history to control your demise
I revisited past events to find ways to prevent my own downfall
Counting the seconds to be embraced by the sky
I am waiting eagerly for my time to be over and to leave this world behind
Past the crowd I felt you crack
I sensed your vulnerability even though you tried to hide it from others
From over a hundred miles
Even from a distance, I can sense your distress
Turn around please come back
Please reconsider your choices and return to me
Hold on, this is the call, reach out before slow descending
Don't give up, this is your chance to ask for help before it's too late
Black dawn, block the fall, this cannot be the ending
The darkness and despair are overwhelming, but I refuse to let them win
Defeat, deceit, slow repose, given one more chance
Despite loss, betrayal, and exhaustion, I am willing to try again
Fleeting, retreat, yellow rose, come take my hand
I am looking for a brief escape and a symbol of hope in the form of a yellow rose
Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.