REVIEW: By Storm with Lerado Khalil: Live at The Masquerade (Purgatory) - ATL

The experimental hip-hop duo continues to innovate in this new era

By Storm performing at The Masquerade (Purgatory) in ATL (Photo by Fisher Latham)

The By Storm show at the Masquerade was more than a concert. It was a visceral, intense milestone in Atlanta’s art scene. This tour marked the debut of By Storm (formerly known as Injury Reserve), and the weight of this transition was felt in every inch of the room. By focusing on high-contrast visuals, I wanted these images reflected this new inky experimental future. 

RiTchie of By Storm in Atlanta (Photo by Fisher Latham)

The concert was defined by blinding, rapid strobes that transformed the duo into monumental figures where their movements froze in time. Not only did this chaotic lighting brighten the stage, but it brought forth the energy in the crowd, emphasizing the industrial, maximum intensity of their new sound. These photos reflect this energy by focusing on deep blacks and heavy grain to match the off-kilter spirit of the performance. 

The peak of this experience was reached during the final moments of ”GGG,” where the boundary between artist and audience disappeared. The room was filled with a collective chant of “My Ghost Go, Ghost” leading to a collective sense of unity in the air. By balancing intimate moments with harsh silhouettes, I hope the gallery captures the development of a legendary hip hop duo, By Storm. In this era, the darkness only brightens the light. 

ATL fans of By Storm at their latest performance in our city (Photo by Fisher Latham)

Article and photos by Fisher Latham. Please credit @fisher_latham or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.