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.
Translate
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unraveled and untwined
All that is left is what
I wish I'd left behind
With ignorance ignored
I threw it all away
If only you believed
There's more than just today
I'm longing for those never met
Fallen to a fear far crueler than regret
Through thick layers
You will find a way
And punish me for
The things i didn't say
A slow beginning ending
Start with honest intensions
Much colder today
Find comfort in suspension
To think that I believed
When you walked without conviction
I'm longing for those never met
Fallen to a fear far crueler than regret
Pierce through stolen velvet
Spare me the last ounce of viciousness
All I have are reasons
To hold to the purity in this
I'm longing for those never met
Fallen to a fear far crueler than regret
The lyrics of I:Scintilla’s song “Translate” are complex and ambiguous, leaving much room for interpretation. The song appears to be about a lost love or relationship that the singer deeply regrets. The first stanza, “Interlocked insatiable / Unraveled and untwined / All that is left is what / I wish I'd left behind,” seems to suggest that the relationship was intense and passionate, but ultimately fell apart. The singer wishes they had left it behind, but is unable to do so.
The second stanza, “Through thick layers / You will find a way / And punish me for / The things i didn't say,” suggests that the singer feels trapped and punished by their own inability to communicate effectively in the relationship. They are unable to express their true feelings and desires, and as a result, they suffer. The final stanza, “Pierce through stolen velvet / Spare me the last ounce of viciousness / All I have are reasons / To hold to the purity in this,” suggests that the singer is still holding onto some semblance of hope for the relationship, despite its apparent demise. They are willing to endure the pain and suffering in order to cling to the purity and beauty of what they had before.
Overall, the lyrics of “Translate” are deeply emotional and introspective, exploring themes of regret, loss, and longing. They ultimately reflect the complexity and ambiguity of human relationships, and the powerful impact they can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Interlocked insatiable
I am consumed and intertwined with something that cannot be satisfied
Unraveled and untwined
I am undone and separated from what once held me captive
All that is left is what I wish I'd left behind
Everything that remains is what I regret not abandoning sooner
With ignorance ignored, I threw it all away
I discarded what I did not understand, oblivious to its value
If only you believed, there's more than just today
I wish you recognized the significance of future possibilities
I'm longing for those never met, fallen to a fear far crueler than regret
I yearn for experiences and connections I have yet to encounter, fearing that not having them will be worse than any regret
Through thick layers, you will find a way
Despite obstacles, perseverance will lead to a solution
And punish me for the things I didn't say
Hold me accountable for the words I failed to express
A slow beginning ending, start with honest intentions
The gradual conclusion of something should begin with truthful motives
Much colder today, find comfort in suspension
The present feels bleak, so I take comfort in delaying my decisions
To think that I believed when you walked without conviction
I was naive enough to trust someone who lacked certainty
Pierce through stolen velvet, spare me the last ounce of viciousness
Cut through the façade of tranquility I portray and show me compassion
All I have are reasons to hold to the purity in this
The only justification I have for keeping something intact is its innate goodness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind