[REVIEW] ‘My Ghosts Go Ghost’ - By Storm: Not a Rebirth, but a Stunning Evolution

★★★★

The group formerly known as Injury Reserve was a trailblazing three-man collective that showcased a primal display of artistic prowess and experimentation.

The group formerly known as Injury Reserve was a trailblazing three-man collective that showcased a primal display of artistic prowess and experimentation. After Stepa J. Groggs, one of the founding members, passed away in 2020, Parker Corey and RiTchie continued as Injury Reserve to release their second album, By the Time I Get to  Phoenix, in 2021. A melancholic and bracing swan song of an album, featuring some of  Groggs' final recorded works before his death, it served as a fitting closing chapter to what they achieved in under a decade as a group. In 2023, they announced a name change: By Storm, which they teased with the 2nd album’s closer: ‘Bye Storm’. The  decision seemed like the only right path, out of respect for Groggs and for the remaining duo to continue with their experimental evolution.  

Now in 2025, the debut has arrived, titled My Ghosts Go Ghost, though it feels less like a new group and more like a natural evolution of their past works. Inspired by an impromptu performance during a Stockholm show affected by technical difficulties, these songs are meticulously crafted, with distorted, delicate soundscapes supported by moving  harmonies and sharp wordplay. The tracks give the impression of being created in real time, gradually unfolding into more intricate production. Opener ‘Can I Have You for Myself?’ begins with tender guitar chords matched with heart-wrenching vocal performances from RiTchie, singing his heart out, drenched in vocal effects. When the beat drops, with thumping bass and pounding drums, the track becomes more chaotic and intense yet remains engrossing.  

‘In My Town’ features some truly gorgeous harmonies, with Midwestern-inspired guitar chords and a drum pattern that melts into the rhythm. Lyrically, the album is just as  dense, with reflective verses about loss, fatherhood, fame, and introspection. Authenticity is the core theme of ‘Grapefruit’; RiTchie’s bars deliver with scathing effect, layered over disarming string arrangements and lurching bass. He contemplates how much he has sacrificed for his artistry, for those who depend on him, and the toll it has taken on him: “I ain’t got much more meat for me to rip open for y’all to just peek.”  

The previously released single ‘Double Trio 2’ exemplifies By Storm at their best: an onslaught of industrial-tinged noise with a theatrical flair. The brass sections break into distortion and ethereal soundbites, surrounding the sonic space. It demonstrates Parker’s pure pedigree as a producer, knowing when to deploy grandeur and when to dial things back for a sparser feel. With each release from the group, Parker continues to excel in his expansive and at times mutative works, with little to no limitation in sight. Tracks like ‘GGG’ exemplify this pacing, closing the album with corrida-inspired guitar and a fragmented delivery that feels completed by RiTchie’s heartfelt verses. The high-pitched harmonies took me by surprise—in the best way—and feature many musical choices that imbue the track with a reflective atmosphere.  

While this album retains many elements that made Injury Reserve so captivating, it elevates to higher planes than before with a deep understanding of pacing and weight in its delivery. It is by no means an easy listen: newcomers may be put off quickly by its 

unconventional arrangements, but it rewards repeated listening. New sounds and subtle instrumentation reveal themselves with each listen, echoing how the album was crafted.  

Before My Ghosts Go Ghost’s release, By Storm performed small, intimate shows across various cities, debuting new material in its early stages. That essence is fully realised here, with the album feeling like flowers blooming in real time. It will surprise you repeatedly, even if you think you know what to expect. With an enlightening beat centred around a punchy drum progression and RiTchie’s audacious spitting, ‘And I Dance’ is pure euphoria in many ways. Hopeful and optimistic, with PC Music-inspired harmonies lifting the song into more glorious noise, culminating in a beautiful glitch-filled closing.  

I thought I knew what to expect from this new release, but like most of humanity, I realise I know nothing. For a group that consistently defies expectations, they continue to surprise in rewarding ways. This project will challenge you and make you slightly uncomfortable at  times, but it consistently proves to be worth every second of its runtime. Uncompromising  in their vision, they keep ascending in any sound they explore. It’s proof of a flicker of light in the shadows that will always endure.