It's been four years since Emma Ruth Rundle's last 'official' studio album, Engine of Hell, but fans have been well fed with a steady stream of releases including demos, an intensely vulnerable live recording, a second instalment of her Electric Guitar series, and last year's The Bella Vista, a poetry collection with accompanying music. Now the Portland, OR resident is back with news of her sixth solo LP, These Killing Times, which drops on September 18 via Rundle's own Errant Child imprint.

Returning to a full-band sound after the stripped-down Engine of Hell, These Killing Times was written early last year and recorded once again with frequent collaborator Sonny Diperri, who co-produced the album alongside Rundle. Guests include Marissa Nadler, Patrick Shiroishi, Amelia Baker (aka Cinder Well), Gina Gleason of Baroness, drummer Jess Gowrie of Mrs. Piss, and bassist Troy Zeigler. Watch the video for lead single and album opener "Powerless" below:

Writing in a press release, Rundle reveals that "Powerless" was originally titled "Noam Chomsky is Dead to Me," in reference to Chomsky's "massively disappointing" association with Jeffrey Epstein and the billionaire class, adding:

“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 dehumanize immigrants and people of color, 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.”

These Killing Times is out September 18. Pre-order here. Tracklisting below:

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

Rundle will be on tour across the US this October, opening for All Them Witches. Prior to that, she'll be performing at Cascadian Midsummer festival, an annual celebration of the summer solstice held in rural Washington state.

Emma Ruth Rundle tour dates:

06/20 Pe Ell, WA @ Cascadian Midsummer
10/10 Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal *
10/11 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall *
10/12 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club *
10/13 Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall *
10/14 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre *
10/15 Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa *
10/16 Harrisburg, PA @ XL Live *
10/17 Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony *
10/18 Norwalk, CT @ District Music Hall *
10/19 Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace *
10/20 South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground *
10/21 Albany, NY @ Empire Live *
10/22 Buffalo, NY @ Electric City *
10/23 McKees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre *
10/24 Indianapolis, IN @ HI FI Annex *
10/25 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection *
10/26 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom *
10/27 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue *
10/28 Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's *
10/29 Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theatre *
10/30 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's *

* with All Them Witches

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