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.
Shattered
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fighter you've been down so low for far too long
This city now offers only nightmares to you
You are too sick of being so strong
Feet dangling in the open grave
Everyone else was always to blame
Present yourself like flower to the bee
You burn everything up to distinguish your spark
You're killing your little star so they can't find you in the dark
Breaking raw ambitions, open your palm over the flames
You say it's different this time
Yet this plan leads to the same
Stagnant air, time moves on and no you have not
Hope hovers overhead like city lights
In contrast reality seems aphotic
Too bleak too empty too grim in the night
Glass they pay to shatter cuts to the bone
You laugh it away with your veins exposed
Present yourself like flower to the bee
Walking on, waking up losing dreams
Peeling layers back, confirming fears
Tearing through hearts, screaming in their ears
Present yourself like flower to the bee
Walking on, waking up losing dreams
The lyrics to I:Scintilla's "Shattered" delve into the struggles of someone who has hit rock bottom and is trying to rise again. The song starts by painting a picture of someone who feels hollow and weak. They've been through a lot, and it seems the city they live in offers no solace - it's only filled with nightmares. Despite being so strong in the past, this person is tired of relying on their own strength.
The second verse describes someone who's so beaten down that they're practically in an open grave with only their feet dangling out. They feel like they've been wronged and are quick to blame others. They present themselves as something beautiful but ultimately unattainable, like a flower to a bee. They are losing dreams and direction.
The chorus describes self-destructive behavior, where someone is so desperate to dull their pain that they destroy everything they hold dear. They kill their own light to try and hide from the dark. This person says it's different now, but they know deep down that they're still headed towards the same outcome.
The bridge takes a turn towards the surreal, with imagery of a person standing still in time while everything else moves around them. Hope exists, but it seems far away and unreachable. In contrast, the world feels dark, empty and cruel.
The final verse talks about peeling back layers and confronting fears head-on. This person is lashing out, screaming at the world, but they're still presenting themselves as something beautiful and fragile, like a flower. They're waking up, but they're still losing dreams.
Overall, the lyrics to "Shattered" seem to be a plea for help wrapped up in a lot of painful imagery. The singer is reaching out for someone to help them stay afloat, but the world is simply too cruel and unforgiving to offer any real solutions.
Line by Line Meaning
Little holes show how hollow you have become
Your flaws have made you feel empty inside and exposed.
Fighter you've been down so low for far too long
You have been struggling for a while and need to pick yourself up.
This city now offers only nightmares to you
You have been affected by the harsh realities of living in this city.
You are too sick of being so strong
You have been trying to be strong for so long, and it has taken a toll on you.
Feet dangling in the open grave
You feel like you are teetering on the edge of disaster.
Everyone else was always to blame
You tend to blame other people for your problems.
Present yourself like flower to the bee
You try to be attractive to others, but you feel like they still don't appreciate you.
Walking on, waking up losing dreams
You feel like you're just going through the motions and aren't getting closer to your goals.
You burn everything up to distinguish your spark
You are trying to stand out and set yourself apart from others.
You're killing your little star so they can't find you in the dark
You are self-destructing to avoid being vulnerable to others.
Breaking raw ambitions, open your palm over the flames
You are taking risks that could damage your future success.
You say it's different this time
You're hoping that things will work out even though you've been down this road before.
Yet this plan leads to the same
You fear that you will repeat the same mistakes and end up in the same situation.
Stagnant air, time moves on and no you have not
You feel stuck and like you're not making any progress in life.
Hope hovers overhead like city lights
You have a glimmer of hope for the future.
In contrast reality seems aphotic
The reality of your situation seems dark and hopeless.
Too bleak too empty too grim in the night
You are feeling lost and hopeless.
Glass they pay to shatter cuts to the bone
Other people's criticism and judgment hurt you deeply.
You laugh it away with your veins exposed
You try to hide your pain and vulnerability with humor.
Peeling layers back, confirming fears
You are facing your fears and discovering things about yourself that frighten you.
Tearing through hearts, screaming in their ears
You are hurting others in the process of dealing with your own pain.
Present yourself like flower to the bee
You strive for attention and validation from others.
Walking on, waking up losing dreams
You feel like you're drifting away from your goals and aren't sure how to get back on track.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.