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.
Scin
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let it seep throughout embrace the state
Light through darkness still shines through
Purely easier to let complicate
Revive a dormant spirit
Spill over darkened shades
Under quickness awakened
This balance will never fade
CHORUS
Detach from crippling divisions
Feel outside your skin
Find empowerment and illumination
Taken entirely from within
(2x)
Amplified in crouching low light
Experience grounds outside yourself
Stand up embrace this night
It still shelters assembled stars
What comes from the source of light
And all that is opposing
Scratches in and breaks down
The torn theme of self-loathing
CHORUS
How much deeper can this reach?
Guess it all depends on the source of light
Revive awaken
But we give in tonight
CHORUS
The lyrics of I:Scintilla's song Scin delve into the idea of uncovering what is hidden in the shadows and embracing it. The first verse urges the listener to let the darkness seep in and coexist with the light, rather than complicate things by ignoring it. The lines "Revive a dormant spirit/Spill over darkened shades/Under quickness awakened/This balance will never fade" suggest that by embracing both the light and the darkness, the listener can awaken and revive their spirit, and achieve a balance that will never fade away.
The chorus further emphasizes the idea of breaking down divisions and feeling outside of oneself for empowerment and illumination. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song suggests that this empowerment and illumination can be found entirely within oneself. The verses that follow speak to the idea that this empowerment comes from standing up and embracing the night, not just the light. The line "What comes from the source of light/And all that is opposing/Scratches in and breaks down/The torn theme of self-loathing" suggests that it is when the listener embraces their whole self, both light and dark, that they can break down the self-loathing that may be holding them back.
Overall, the lyrics of Scin encourage the listener to embrace their whole self, both light and dark, in order to achieve balance and true empowerment. The song urges the listener to look within themselves for strength and illumination, rather than seeking it from others or external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
Uncover the veiled shadows
Examine what's hidden and obscured
Let it seep throughout embrace the state
Allow it to permeate and fully accept your current situation
Light through darkness still shines through
Positivity can still be found in difficult times
Purely easier to let complicate
It's often simpler to overthink and make things more complex than they need to be
Revive a dormant spirit
Bring new life to a part of yourself that has become stagnant
Spill over darkened shades
Allow brightness to overflow into areas of darkness
Under quickness awakened
Awakened rapidly
This balance will never fade
The balance achieved will be enduring
Detach from crippling divisions
Separate yourself from harmful conflicts and disputes
Feel outside your skin
Become aware of and connected with the world around you
Find empowerment and illumination
Discover strength and enlightenment
Taken entirely from within
Derived solely from one's own self
Amplified in crouching low light
Enhanced in dim light while in a lowered position
Experience grounds outside yourself
Gain perspective from external experiences
Stand up embrace this night
Face the present moment with courage and embrace it fully
It still shelters assembled stars
The night sky remains an awe-inspiring sight
What comes from the source of light
What arises from positivity and enlightenment
And all that is opposing
And all that opposes it
Scratches in and breaks down
Damages and weakens
The torn theme of self-loathing
The harmful pattern of negative self-perception
How much deeper can this reach?
To what extent can one delve into this?
Guess it all depends on the source of light
The extent of growth and enlightenment depends on the positivity and clarity of the source
Revive awaken
Bring to life and awaken
But we give in tonight
But we succumb to our internal struggles tonight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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