Review: Emma Ruth Rundle ‘These Killing Times’
It’s been five years since Engine Of Hell was released unto the world, and in that time, we have seen the true extent of Emma Ruth Rundle’s soul being painfully exposed for all to see.
A truly heartbreaking catharsis invited us in to see behind the curtain, and with it the true vulnerability of this unique and groundbreaking entity. Her stripped-down feelings of mono no aware brought a bittersweet understanding of the impermanence of life and situations.
Having extensively toured post-pandemic, both promoting Engine Of Hell and celebrating the decade anniversary of Some Heavy Ocean, as well as working on various other projects including releasing a book of poetry, The Bella Vista, which had an accompanying soundtrack album, it’s been an incredibly busy time.
Last time round, it was a very stripped-back and mournful affair where limited instrumentation paralleled the vocals, and the overall package was, at times, utterly heartbreaking. But that was then; it was a time for inward reflection and unburdening, whereas this time it’s about rebirth and evolution.
With These Killing Times, Emma has completely rejuvenated her whole being, which can be felt right from the opening moments of Powerless to the dying seconds of album closer Oceans Of Time. It’s an enigmatic collection created by a true musical auteur, who is at the most vibrant stage of this new chapter of her career.
As for the album itself, it is comprised of eight soulful sonnets, which fluctuate between softer introverted ballads and catastrophically charged outpourings. The feeling throughout is that of a musical rebirth; the tracks have an urgency and excitement to them, and it’s an absolute joy to hear each one in turn.
We open with Powerless, the lead single, which sets the tone for the entire album. Starting lightly, the piano vibrantly rolls across the airwaves, swiftly accompanied by Emma, before the full band kicks in at the chorus. It drops back for the second verse before returning to a joyous outpouring afterwards. It’s a true departure from the artist’s trademark sound – lighter, airier, and yet still heavy, but in an uplifting and positively optimistic way. Beautifully anarchic at times, it’s everything that I, for one, had been hoping for.
an enigmatic collection created by a true musical auteur, who is at the most vibrant stage of this new chapter of her career….
God’s Picture gently breezes in off the back of Powerless and feels almost lounge-like in its vibe. Classy piano and muted guitar provide the backdrop to the vocal, and it’s all so very understated. By its climax, it has elevated in intensity but is never too much. Track three, Anvil, sees a return to the hallmark sound Emma is best known for, but again, it has an added level of exuberance. At lighter moments, it’s easy to draw comparisons with Chelsea Wolfe and Tori Amos, as the elevated vocal dynamic hits a wondrous new high.
Taking the following two tracks, Catherine Wheel and Don’t Delay Heaven, it’s possible to explain the yin to the yang in her music. Catherine Wheel is loud, angsty, and abrasive; it is uncomfortable to listen to and gives rise to the darker elements, whereas Don’t Delay Heaven offers a gentler, somewhat serene contrast. Both are equally incredible, and their juxtaposition keeps the whole affair lively and pacey.
Enough, another track released ahead of the album, is quite possibly one of the darkest moments on the whole opus. Starting in a more understated way, it builds at the pre-chorus before dropping back. Never fully veering away from being unsettling, this is more the Emma Ruth Rundle we are used to. Always intensely beautiful, as it breaks down into a cacophony of disjointed guitar and inaudible noise around the halfway mark, it’s magnificent in its awkwardness. Fading off before its peak, it then briefly re-emerges at the beginning of the penultimate track, Human Kindness.
After the initial harsher tone, it drops back into a warmer and more luxuriously textured piece, and the singer-songwriter’s true majesty shines through. It’s on this track where I feel the culmination of her newly evolved skill set shows its truest colours. It’s the pinnacle of phenomenal talent, and the sheer scope of it is unparalleled. This is where Emma is in 2026: world-beating and filled with passion.
Oceans Of Time closes things out and is a softer finale to the whole experience. With vocal accompaniment from Marissa Nadler, Lukas Frank, and Amelia Baker, this piano-led piece eloquently closes the show in one last flourish of beauty.
It’s a truly magical album, and my mere words only serve as the tip of the iceberg. My opinion is that it needs to be experienced to be fully understood; words do not paint an eloquent enough response to the subject matter, and as such, it’s truly humbled me writing this review. Some artists defy classification; Emma Ruth Rundle is one of that elite. Go out, discover, and love – your soul will be richer for it.
Label: Errant Child
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
