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Rundle posted a statement on Instagram yesterday (18^th of January) announcing the cancellation, saying: “This is not fun for me. This is not fun for you. The tour must be postponed. Tickets are still valid and we will announce new dates soon. Please understand that touring has been my main source of income and that not being able to do this work – going into year three – is less than ideal – It is however logistically impossible to tour right now due to the myriad covid restrictions.”

She added: “I want to thank @swampbooking who have put in more than half a year’s work into the planning of this special tour and who are working very hard on moving it to a later time in the year…I appreciate all the support you have shown me and my new work. I hope that you can understand and that I’ll see you later in the year. Much love, err.” You can read the full statement above.

The initial tour announcement came just a few weeks after the release of Rundle’s fifth studio album, Engine of Hell. The record has been received very well by both fans and critics alike. In a glowing review, Kerrang! said of the record: “This latest release sees the flesh of Emma’s music flayed to its bare bones; every track is a simplistic combination of her voice and either an acoustic guitar or a piano…The lyrics are wrought with dark meaning and somber emotion, and the lack of accompanying instruments makes their impact all the more poignant.”

Anyone who has listened to Rundle’s catalogue can tell you that Engine of Hell is one of her most intimate releases to date. The instrumentals are much more stripped down than usual; typically, Rundle totes an electric guitar both live and in studio, but here, we see frequent use of acoustic guitar and piano. The minimal instrumentation really shines a light on the personal, dark lyrics that Rundle has penned for this record, such as the sombre chorus of “Citadel”; On my way down, most of my life, I was trained how just to lay down, and never ask why, I was trained how, just to stay down, where it’s safe now.” The album can be found on all streaming services, and physical media can be purchased here. 

UPDATE 09/02/22

As of the 7th of February, Rundle has officially rescheduled her EU and UK tour. You can view the new UK dates down below. Ticket information for the tour can be found here.

11/08/2022- Bradshaw Hall- Birmingham
12/08- Brudenell Social Club- Leeds
13/08- Gosforth Civic Theatre- Newcastle
14/08- Mackintosh Queen’s Cross- Glasgow
16/08- St. Patrick’s Parish- Belfast
17/08- Dolan’s Music Hall- Limerick
18/08- St. Ann- Dublin
20/08- ArcTanGent Festival- Bristol
21/08- Stoller Hall- Manchester
22/08- Clapham Grand- London
23/08- Komedia- Brighton

Rundle released a statement via Instagram outlining her excursions to Europe and the UK in the not too distant future. Check it out below. This announcement comes in the wake of the release of her new album ‘Engine of Hell.’ 

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Roadburn Festival, who are hosting Rundle on their 2022 artist roster, offered warm praise of Rundle’s new album in a statement, saying:  “Honesty and vulnerability have run through much of Emma’s output over the years, but on Engine of Hell the rawness and repressed pain that accompanies her lived experiences bubble to the surface…Engine of Hell is the sound of one woman claiming dominion over her past and leading it with authority into her future…Our firm belief that Emma can command an enraptured main stage audience is unwavering.” You can find Engine of Hell on all streaming services, and physical media is available here.

The release of Engine of Hell comes just a year after Rundle’s collaboration with formidable Louisiana sludge metal sextet Thou, entitled May Our Chambers Be Full. The record showcases a haunting marriage of Rundle’s eerie, ethereal folk stylings and the crushing guitars and cavernous screamed vocals that Thou have become known for over their vast musical catalogue.

Roadburn Festival, which has been a haven for the darker and more extreme corners of music since its inception, boasts an impressive line-up this year. Acts include instrumental post-metal outfit Russian Circles, black metal/shoegaze band Alcest, electronic/industrial rock titans HEALTH and extreme metal/grindcore stalwarts Full of Hell, who will be performing four times, including a collaborative set with shoegazers NOTHING. You can read more about the festival here.

Rundle is also scheduled to hit the UK and Europe in February 2022 and has also been added to the extremely exciting line-up of acts playing at ArcTanGent festival in Bristol, including Opeth, Cult of Luna, Delta Sleep, Amenra and The Locust. Tickets for ArcTanGent can be purchased here, and tickets for Rundle’s UK/EU tour can be purchased here. Dates for Roadburn, ArcTangent and the UK stops on her February tour are listed down below.

February Tour 2022 UK Dates

08/02/2022- Clapham Grand- London
09/02- Stoller Hall- Manchester
10/02- Komedia- Bath

Festival Dates 2022

25/04- Roadburn Festival- Tilburg, Netherlands
17/08- ArcTanGent Festival- Bristol, UK