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.
The Bells
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have discovered where footsteps are placed Placed among the constellations
I will keep the missing keys and disregard
The staircase, tragedies]
The fade proof lines
That define status and meaning
Are illegible, too thin to read
Under petals and softer words
The vine bleeds divine screams
Do your wings make a sound?
Sometimes I swear I can hear them
You left poison mercury dreams
Will you reveal what it means?
Taste the potency
Of your deadened knowledge
The decline through sifting perils
Forces you under
Stretch past the shattered arrows
The vine bleeds divine screams
Do your wings make a sound?
Sometimes I swear I can feel them
The fluorescent lighting does nothing
To keep you from hiding
[With a quiet strength behind my heels
I have discovered where footsteps are placed Placed among the constellations
I will keep the missing keys and disregard
The staircase, tragedies]
Do your wings make a sound?
Sometimes I swear I can hear them
You left poison mercury dreams
Will you reveal what it means?
Do your wings make a sound?
I swear I can hear them
I can feel them
The lyrics to I:Scintilla’s song “The Bells” are somewhat difficult to interpret, as they are abstract and open to various interpretations. However, it seems that the singer of the song is experiencing some sort of spiritual or otherworldly journey. The first verse appears to describe the singer’s exploration of the cosmos and discovery of some sort of “missing keys,” which they plan to keep while disregarding “tragedies” that may come their way. The second verse is less clear, but may refer to the singer’s loss of “radiance” and their exposure to a “vine bleeds divine screams.” The third verse poses a question to the listener about whether their “wings make a sound,” and describes the singer potentially feeling or hearing them, despite being unable to see them. The final verse repeats this question and ends the song on an open, enigmatic note.
One possible interpretation of these lyrics is that they describe a journey towards self-discovery and awakening. The “missing keys” that the singer discovers could represent the knowledge or insight that they have been seeking. The reference to wings suggests that the singer is exploring a spiritual or otherworldly realm, and the question about whether they make a sound may be a metaphor for the singer’s search for a higher purpose or meaning. The reference to a “vine bleeds divine screams” could represent the pain and suffering that the singer encounters along the way, perhaps as they confront the darker aspects of themselves or the world around them.
Alternatively, these lyrics could be viewed as a more abstract exploration of sound and perception. The repeated question about whether wings make a sound suggests that the singer is interested in the relationship between sound and movement, as well as the limits of human perception. The references to illegible lines and invisible wings could be read as a commentary on the ways in which our senses are sometimes unable to fully take in the world around us. Ultimately, the song leaves many questions unanswered, and invites listeners to interpret its message in their own ways.
Line by Line Meaning
With a quiet strength behind my heels
I am walking with confidence and determination.
I have discovered where footsteps are placed
I have found my path and know where to go.
Placed among the constellations
I am part of something bigger than myself.
I will keep the missing keys and disregard
I will hold onto what's important and let go of what's not.
The staircase, tragedies
I won't let setbacks and difficulties hold me back.
The fade proof lines
The things that seem permanent and unchanging.
That define status and meaning
That give things their value and significance.
Are illegible, too thin to read
They are hard to understand and easily lost.
I've lost radiance
I've lost my shine and vibrancy.
Under petals and softer words
Beneath things that seem pretty and comforting.
The vine bleeds divine screams
The things that seem beautiful can also be painful and destructive.
Do your wings make a sound?
Is there more to you than what meets the eye?
Sometimes I swear I can hear them
I sense that there is something deeper to you.
You left poison mercury dreams
You gave me visions of something deadly.
Will you reveal what it means?
Can you explain the significance of what you've shown me?
Taste the potency
Experience the strength.
Of your deadened knowledge
Of what you've learned but can no longer feel.
The decline through sifting perils
The journey through difficult times and struggles.
Forces you under
Pushes you down and holds you back.
Stretch past the shattered arrows
Move beyond the obstacles and wounds you've endured.
The vine bleeds divine screams
Even something beautiful can cause pain and harm.
The fluorescent lighting does nothing
The superficial things don't hide what's really going on inside.
To keep you from hiding
To prevent you from concealing your true self.
Sometimes I swear I can feel them
I am aware of your true nature and what you're capable of.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind