Review Emma Ruth Rundle – These Killing Times

EMMA RUTH RUNDLE seems to have found herself: after the remarkable „On Dark Horses“ solo album, the equally exciting collaboration with the sludge metal band THOU and the successful stay in a rehab clinic, 2021 saw the release of „Engine Of Hell“, stripped down to piano, acoustic guitar and vocals, the multi-instrumentalist’s most introverted work. If you take into account her diverse work in other projects she has been involved in over the years (such as RED SPARROWES or MARRIAGES), then a) the bar for her latest outing „These Killing Times“ is very high and b) it is completely open where the musical journey will go this time.

After just the first few seconds of „These Killing Times“, however, it becomes clear: EMMA RUTH RUNDLE is (also) returning to her more rocking strengths, without foregoing intimate moments. The opener „Powerless“ is instantly catchy, impressing on the one hand with a characteristic piano and vocal melody, and on the other (again) with only lightly overdriven yet surprisingly powerful electric guitars – a bit like a mix between the post-rock-leaning 2018 output „On Dark Horses“ and the acoustic „Engine Of Hell“. More PJ Harvey than A.A. Williams, at times almost more post-grunge than post-rock.

EMMA RUTH RUNDLE is therefore once again back with a full band lineup and takes a clearly more opulent approach than last time. In addition to subtle electronic flourishes, the use of saxophone („God’s Picture“ or „Enough“) and of cello and violin („Powerless“ or „Anvil“) also provides variety. The fact that the restrained, quiet songs such as „Oceans Of Time“ can be just as captivating as the longest track on „These Killing Times“, the wonderfully doomy „Human Kindness“ at eight and a half minutes, bears witness to Rundle’s songwriting quality. There are bonus points here for the vocal support from THOUs Bryan Funck, which moves the song stylistically somewhat closer to the 2020 collaboration with the sludge metallers from Louisiana.

Although almost every one of the eight songs has more than just a bit of earworm potential, EMMA RUTH RUNDLE can also take a more challenging approach: the super noise-rock outro of „Enough“ can be cited here as an example. From a production standpoint, „These Killing Times“ comes across as decidedly analog-sounding and warm, but surprisingly big and powerful for something that is not a classic metal production. So many details are audible, such as the sliding on the guitar’s fretboard, which gives the album a very organic and acoustic character. Here, Sonny Diperri (mix) and Stephen Marcussen (master) really did a great job.

Although the album is musically extremely melancholic, not to say downright heartbreaking, Rundle is lyrically thoughtful and indeed socially critical, but not (as the album title might suggest) completely devoid of hope. In this way, „These Killing Times“ has really turned into a major achievement and successfully unites the intimacy and emotionality of EMMA RUTH RUNDLE’s more acoustic works with the drive of her more rock-oriented releases, without coming across as overly aggressive. A very hot contender for the winners’ podium this year and an unreserved recommendation for everyone who sometimes likes things a bit quieter and more atmospheric.

Publiziert am 8. Oktober 2026 von Stephan Gossen