Emma Ruth Rundle’s “These Killing Times” is electrifying, emotional and charged with anti-patriarchal feminist rage. The forthcoming studio album from the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist is a reactive anthology, bristling, full of life and full of resistance.
“These Killing Times”, her sixth full-length, will be released via her own imprint Errant Child on September 18th, 2026, and preceded by the lead single and album opener “Powerless”.
Although this new album possesses a spirit of defiance, it retains the tenderness, rawness and vulnerability that saw her previous globally acclaimed full-length, “Engine of Hell” (2021), resonate with so many listeners.
“These Killing Times” returns to a full-band set up for a fuller sound, a more sonically powerful accompaniment to her now more direct vocal style. The album features drummer Jess Gowrie (Chelsea Wolfe, Mrs. Piss), long-time friend and collaborator Troy Zeigler, Patrick Shiroishi, Nick Reinhart (Tera Melos), Gina Gleason (Baroness), Marissa Nadler, Lukas Frank (Storefront Church) and Amelia Baker (Cinder Well). The instrumentation is brighter and more urgent than ever before, lending a fascinating magnetism to Emma’s music which feels fresh and new.
Of lead single “Powerless”, Emma reveals: “This song was initially titled ‘Noam Chomsky is Dead to Me’ – as his relationship to Epstein and the billionaire class was being exposed – just another massively disappointing headline in a time where we are incessantly confronted with an onslaught of news and headlines which are endlessly demoralising and dehumanising”.
She continues: “This song – like most of the songs on ‘These Killing Times’ – is a reaction to the horrors we are seeing laid bare on a daily basis – the clear and painful reality of the myriad injustices levied upon the working class people of earth – from climate collapse to genocide to the miscarriage of justice on a scale- the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetimes- the collapse of empire, the demise of democracy, the erosion of women’s rights and LGBTQIA+ rights and black rights, the attempt to dehumanise immigrants and people of colour, the concentration camps in the USA – the list is so long I don’t think I can accurately cover it all here. With ‘Powerless’ – I invoke the hammer; both to destroy and to build – something better. I want people to know they are not alone – they are not insane – I wanted to name the thing that has been causing me so much mental, emotional and spiritual anguish. Sometimes singing – especially repeating phases – can work to fortify one’s self and I think that’s where the bridge of ‘Powerless’ comes in – I refuse to let my agency and resolve become corrupted or diluted by the powers that be and I want others to feel empowered too”.
Pre-order & pre-save “These Killing Times” here.
Tracklist:
1. Powerless
2. God’s Picture
3. Anvil
4. Catherine Wheel
5. Don’t Delay Heaven
6. Enough
7. Human Kindness
8. Oceans of Time
“These Killing Times” asks us questions of our intentions and of the roles we play in the communities we exist within, and how we choose to counter the chokehold of capitalism. Sleepless nights, moments of horror, and times of anguish could be overlaid atop a timeline of recent socio-political events to map the creation of “These Killing Times”; the rising power of Christian nationalism, the grotesque circus of political discourse, and related ontological discomfort. But there is also love – as a balm and a tonic, a means of escape. A desire for companionship and connection whilst being confronted by the most violent parts of humanity remains an unresolved tension.
Written as she watched from afar the devastating effects of yet another climate disaster unfold in early 2025, Emma reflected on the roots of the systemic issues that filter directly into so many catastrophic global events, and made a conscious choice to reach towards making a hopeful record. Where outside forces tempted her to turn inwards, towards isolation and hopelessness, she instead reached outwards to create a record that acknowledges pain, but offers both community and resilience in response.
Bringing others into the fold was both a stylistic choice and one that strengthened her community-first approach to making the record. “I wanted to feel fortified by friendships and to be in community with other musicians – to make something that pushed back against the isolation”, says Emma.
“These Killing Times” adds to Rundle’s extensive genre-defying discography which includes collaborative projects, bands, soundtracks, and solo releases. The album was recorded by Sonny Diperri (My Bloody Valentine, Trent Reznor, These New Puritans), who she has worked with on multiple releases over the last decade.
In addition to her work in music, Emma is an established visual artist working across multiple disciplines. In 2025, her first book of poetry, The Bella Vista, was released via Unnamed Press.
US Tour Dates 2026:
Jun 19-21: Cascading Midsummer =
Oct 10: Chattanooga, TN – The Signal ~
Oct 11: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ~
Oct 12: Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club ~
Oct 13: Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall ~
Oct 14: Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre ~
Oct 15: Norfolk, VA – The NorVa ~
Oct 16: Harrisburg, PA – XL Live ~
Oct 17: Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony ~
Oct 18: Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall ~
Oct 19: Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace ~
Oct 20: South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground ~
Oct 21: Albany, NY – Empire Live ~
Oct 22: Buffalo, NY – Electric City ~
Oct 23: McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre ~
Oct 24: Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Annex ~
Oct 25: Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection ~
Oct 26: Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom ~
Oct 27: Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue ~
Oct 28: Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s ~
Oct 29: Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre ~
Oct 30: Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s ~
= (Performing solo)
~ (Performing solo, supporting All Them Witches)
Weblinks:
www.emmaruthrundle.com
www.facebook.com/emmaruthrundle
