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.
Toy Soldier
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Force reasons to die
Till boots come untied
You'll try to believe his lie
Built beyond the archetype
Trick yourself into the fight
Soot and gun will hide the night
Convince yourself that it's right
Undeserving idolatry
Inner circle loyalty
The willing now called elite
Boy of the surge
Compliance won't make you a man
Now you have deciphered
The secret written in the sand
Now you understand
What rests in your hands
Clear and hold the land
By killing another man
Whose safety do you fight for?
Admit that you can't ignore
You don't trust those keeping score
Write letters to reassure
Gunshot rationality
Just a casual casualty
Just part of the strategy
The willing now called elite
Boy of the surge
Compliance won't make you a man
Now you have deciphered
The secret written in the sand
Sing of fires Sing of will
Sing to justify to kill
Boy of the surge
Compliance won't make you a man
Sleeping makes you suffer
The secrets buried in the sand
The lyrics of "Toy Soldier" by I:Scintilla are an indictment of war and the dehumanizing effects it has on those who participate in it. The song speaks to the idea of blind patriotism and the willingness of soldiers to obey orders without questioning the morality of the actions they are being asked to carry out. The first verse speaks of soldiers who are willing to fight to the death, even when it goes against reason, and are willing to ignore the truth in order to believe in the ideals they have been taught. The second verse speaks of the consequences of war and the questions that arise when soldiers are forced to confront the reality of the violence they have inflicted on others. The song asks the listener to consider what they are willing to fight and die for and to acknowledge that blind obedience may not equate to true masculinity.
"Master warhead puppetry, undeserving idolatry, inner circle loyalty, the willing now called elite" speaks to the idea of those in power manipulating the masses to their own advantage. The use of the term "boy of the surge" reinforces the idea that young soldiers are often used as pawns in wars that they may not fully understand. The repetition of the phrase "compliance won't make you a man" challenges the idea that true masculinity is defined by obedience to authority.
The chorus speaks to the idea of soldiers singing to justify their actions and to convince themselves that what they are doing is the right thing. The line "sleeping makes you suffer, the secrets buried in the sand" implies the idea that soldiers who simply follow orders without questioning them will suffer from the mental and emotional toll of the violence they have been party to. In summary, "Toy Soldier" is a powerful critique of war and the dangers of blind obedience to authority.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand against the sky
Position yourself high, as if superior or above others
Force reasons to die
Push excuses to cease, even if they are valid
Till boots come untied
Continue until the very end, not stopping for minor setbacks
You'll try to believe his lie
Accept the falsehoods presented by those in power, convincing yourself they're true
Built beyond the archetype
Created beyond the standard, usual mold
Trick yourself into the fight
Deceive yourself into thinking the fight is necessary, even if it is not
Soot and gun will hide the night
Ash and weaponry will cover the darkness, making actions less affected by the shadow
Convince yourself that it's right
Persuade yourself that the action being taken is correct, even if it goes against your moral belief
Master warhead puppetry
Expertly manipulate warhead replicas, as if they were actual beings
Undeserving idolatry
Offering praise to those who have not earned it, or do not deserve it
Inner circle loyalty
Devotion only to those within the close group you belong to
The willing now called elite
Those who accept or agree to the currently imposed actions are regarded as superior
Boy of the surge
Youthful boy swept up in the wave of these actions
Compliance won't make you a man
Agreeing or going along with these actions does not make you more of a grown-up, mature adult
Now you have deciphered
Now you understand the truth or hidden meaning better
The secret written in the sand
The unspoken reality or facts that are there but not acknowledged
Now you understand
The comprehension has become apparent
What rests in your hands
The responsibility or burden lies with you
Clear and hold the land
Take control and maintain the conquered terrain
By killing another man
Achieve your goals by fatally harming another person
Whose safety do you fight for?
Question whose life or security is actually being guarded
Admit that you can't ignore
Acknowledge that you cannot disregard or overlook this problem or truth
You don't trust those keeping score
You do not have confidence in those tracking and monitoring the ongoing events or actions
Write letters to reassure
Compose notes or epistles to assure and comfort oneself or others
Gunshot rationality
Clear and calculated thinking immediately following a weapon firing
Just a casual casualty
A death that appears to be nonchalant or unimportant
Just part of the strategy
Simply a piece of the ploy to gain advantage or power
Sing of fires Sing of will
Chant or sing about destruction or determination
Sing to justify to kill
Sing to rationalize or warrant the murder
Sleeping makes you suffer
Resting or pausing for a moment results in agony or torment
The secrets buried in the sand
The concealed facts or knowledge never coming to light
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.