Emma Ruth Rundle the September 18, 2026 release of her new album, These Killing Times, via Errant Child, according to official release details. The upcoming record follows her 2021 solo acoustic album, Engine of Hell, marking a distinct shift toward an outward-looking, collaborative sound that blends dark folk, classical orchestration, and heavy sonic textures.
Musical Direction and Instrumentation
According to production credits and track details released for These Killing Times, the album features a wide array of guest musicians while maintaining a cohesive sonic identity shaped by producer Sonny Diperri. Rundle handles guitars, keys, and vocals across the tracklist, working alongside core rhythm section members Jess Gowrie on drums and Troy Zeigler on bass.
The record moves away from the stark, purely acoustic framework of Engine of Hell, incorporating orchestral elements such as violins played by Camille Getz, cellos by Jason Adams, and saxophone performances by Patrick Shiroishi. At the same time, the album integrates heavier electric guitar leads and distorted passages from guest contributors including Gina Gleason of Baroness, Nick Reinhart of Tera Melos, and Bryan Tulou.
Lyrical Themes and Collaborative Scope
These Killing Times addresses themes of feminist rage, vulnerability, sociopolitical resistance, and the search for community. Rundle deliberately chose to reach outward rather than inward, framing the record as a reactive anthology that confronts the pressures of capitalism and nationalism while offering resilience.
The album features guest vocal contributions on various tracks from artists such as Amelia Baker, Lukas Frank, Marissa Nadler, Bryan Funck, and George Clarke. Recording sessions took place at LMNL Studios in Santa Monica, California, and Octopus Beak in Los Angeles, with engineering by Sonny Diperri and additional recording by Zach Capittifenton. Stephen Marcussen mastered the release, and Mason Rose provided the photography for the cover and singles.
Tracklist and Release Information
These Killing Times will be available on September 18, 2026. The album includes the following verified track features:
- Powerless: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, Amelia Baker, and Nick Reinhart.
- God’s Picture: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, and Patrick Shiroishi.
- Anvil: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, Camille Getz, and Jason Adams.
- Catherine Wheel: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, Gina Gleason, and Nick Reinhart.
- Don’t Delay Heaven: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, and Troy Zeigler.
- Enough: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, Bryan Tulou, Patrick Shiroishi, George Clarke, and Sonny Diperri.
- Human Kindness: Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Jess Gowrie, Troy Zeigler, Nick Reinhart, Bryan Funck, Lucas Frank, Camille Getz, and Jason Adams.
- What Should We Live For (Oceans of Time): Features Emma Ruth Rundle, Amelia Baker, Lukas Frank, and Marissa Nadler.
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