A Covenant of Thorns is an American electronic-alternative project founded in 1992 by singer-songwriter Scott-David Allen. Based primarily in the Pacific Northwest during its inception and later the upper Midwest, the project is defined by its "one-man-band" production style.
The project began in 1992 after Allen relocated from San Francisco to Seattle. Initially writing material with no intent for public release while attending art school, Allen eventually formalized the project under the name A Covenant of Thorns. In 1998, he released two six-song EPs (A Covenant of Thorns 1 and 2), which were a mixture of digital and analog 4-track recordings. These led to the 1999 debut full-length album, Hallowed & Hollow, which established his signature baritone vocal style and atmospheric synth-pop foundations.
2000–2013: If The Heavens Should Fall and hiatus
In 2004, Allen released If The Heavens Should Fall. The album saw a refinement in production and a deeper exploration of spiritual isolation. Following this release, the project entered a decade-long period of relative silence. This hiatus was broken only in 2010 with a remastered reissue of the debut album, which introduced Allen's work to a new generation of listeners.
2014–2018: Resurgence and creative rebirth
After a ten-year hiatus from major studio output, Scott-David Allen revived the project in 2014 with the EP The Fields of Flesh. This release served as a pivot point, transitioning the project's sound toward a more atmospheric and modern production style. This momentum continued through a series of short-form releases, including 2016's Forgotten, and the 2017 EP Requiem, which dealt with the passing of Allen's father. These interim works functioned as a creative bridge, leading to the 2018 arrival of Shadows & Serenades. As the project's first full-length studio album since 2004, it was met with critical acclaim.[1] for its sophisticated harmonic layers and Allen’s matured, resonant vocal presence.
2020–Present: Prolific output and Ashes
The turn of the decade marked the most active period in the project’s history, characterized by a rapid succession of releases. In 2020, Allen released the fourth full-length album, Black, a record that leaned into starker, minimalist synth-driven arrangements. All of this culminating in the 2023 release of the album Ashes. Noted for its evocative lyrical themes and tracks such as "Burn," the album further cemented the project’s standing within the contemporary dark landscape. To date, Allen continues to maintain a steady output, balancing the project's legacy with a commitment to evolving electronic textures.
Name
According to Allen, the name A Covenant of Thorns symbolizes the contrast between everyday events:
Often, I tend to write based on an emotion or feeling. Similarly, the name "A Covenant of Thorns" was a combination of words that evoked a certain imagery and emotion. The name is somewhat conflicted and represents everyday struggles between opposites.[2]
It symbolizes the double-edged nature of any relationship, whether it is based on love, religion, friendship, etc.[3]
Legacy
A Covenant of Thorns remains a "musician’s musician" project. Scott-David Allen is frequently cited for his ability to produce high-fidelity, emotionally resonant music without the backing of major labels—a testament to the DIY spirit of the original post-punk movement. "Scott-David Allen has spent decades honing a particularly melancholy style of songwriting with just enough dreamy lift to keep things from ever becoming too dour." — I Die: You Die[4]
Discography
EPs
1998: A Covenant of Thorns 1
1998: A Covenant of Thorns 2
2014: The Fields of Flesh
2016: Forgotten
2017: Requiem
Studio albums
1999: Hallowed & Hollow
2004: If The Heavens Should Fall
2018: Shadows & Serenades
2020: Black
2023: Ashes
Compilations
1999: MP32K - The Future Is Now
2000: Shadow Dancing
2002: Trinity
2005: Angelic Hauntings
2020: Tiny Gods Who Walk Beside Us
2022: The Unquiet Grave: The Final Chapter
2022: Heartbreak Beat (A Tribute to The Psychedelic Furs)
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