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.
Ruin
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep your hope, and your dreams behind bars
You wear the stripes so we can be the stars
Keep your hope, and your dreams behind bars
You wear the stripes so we can be the stars
So we can be the stars
And try to take from me my riches
Can't break this crown
Will you be my ruin, drive my cares away
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
I'll be brave, will the boys let me stay?
Put me in my place
Be gone
Don't care
While I'm here I'm going somewhere
Freedom
No more
Scorched and torn from flames of war
Beneath
The trees
I've got the route laid out before me
Red words reach down
Try to take from me my riches
Can't break this crown
Will you be my ruin, drive my cares away
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
I'll be brave, will the boys let me stay?
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
Will you be my ruin, try to get away
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
I'll be brave, will the boys let me stay?
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
(My heart in flames)
Blood lines break down
Will you be my ruin, drive my cares away
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
(My heart in flames)
I'll be brave, will the boys let me stay?
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
Will you be my ruin, drive my dreams away
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
(My heart in flames)
I'll be brave, will the boys let me stay?
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
Put me in my place
My heart in flames
My heart in flames
The song "Ruin" by I:Scintilla is a commentary on society's use and abuse of power. The first line, "Keep your hope, and your dreams behind bars," refers to the idea that those in positions of authority often limit the potential of those they govern in order to maintain their own power. The following line, "You wear the stripes so we can be the stars," suggests that society blindly follows those in power without questioning their actions, creating a hierarchy where those at the top benefit at the expense of those at the bottom. The chorus repeats the phrase "Put me in my place," which can be interpreted as either a resignation to this hierarchy or a plea for those in power to take responsibility for their actions.
The second verse shifts focus to the idea of personal growth and freedom. The singer of the song desires to break free from the limitations placed upon them, to achieve their dreams and escape the destruction of war. The imagery of "scorched and torn from flames of war" suggests the bleakness of their situation, but they remain determined to find a way forward. The chorus continues to repeat "Put me in my place," giving the impression that the singer is willing to face any challenge if it means achieving their goals. The final line, "My heart in flames," suggests both the intensity of their desire and the potential danger that comes with pursuing it.
Overall, "Ruin" can be seen as a call to action for listeners to question their own societal roles and advocate for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Put me in my place
I am asking to be put in my proper role or rank
Keep your hope, and your dreams behind bars
You wear the stripes so we can be the stars
Don't try to aspire or achieve anything; just conform to the established order and make those in authority look good
Red words reach down
And try to take from me my riches
Can't break this crown
Will you be my ruin, drive my cares away
Criticism and opposition may be directed towards me, but I will not yield or falter; will you be the one to bring about my downfall?
Be gone
Don't care
While I'm here I'm going somewhere
Freedom
No more
Scorched and torn from flames of war
Beneath
The trees
I've got the route laid out before me
I am leaving a suffocating environment behind and pursuing my own path to gain independence and liberation
(My heart in flames)
I am in a state of intense passion or emotion
Blood lines break down
Will you be my ruin, drive my cares away
Put me in my place
Even familial ties and traditions may dissolve, and I am prepared to risk everything to find true fulfillment in life
Contributed by Christopher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.