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Reviews by Brian Sumner

900 Global Zen Master

Roto Grip Idol Pearl

Roto Grip Rubicon UC3

Storm Absolute

Storm All-Road

Storm AstroPhysix

Storm Axiom

Storm Code X

Storm Crux Prime

Storm Dark Code

Storm Gravity Evolve

Storm Intense Fire

Storm IQ Tour Emerald

Storm Omega Crux

Storm Parallax

Storm Parallax Effect

Storm Phaze 4

Storm Phaze V

Storm Physix

Storm Pro-Motion

Storm Proton Physix

Storm Soniq

Storm Super Soniq

Storm Trend 16 Only

Storm Trend 2

Storm Virtual Energy Blackout

Show all reviews

900 Global Zen Master
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’m WAY behind the 8 ball on this one, but in a way, that’s a good thing. I usually write these reviews after a week or so with the ball and never circle back around to give updates, good or bad. So, a month after having the Zen Master drilled up by Scott Bijolle at Gold Crown Lanes… here are my thoughts.
I was looking to “replace” or at least come close to replacing my Axiom solid, which has served me well. So, I put the exact same 5x4.5 pin-under layout on it. Initially the ball was MUCH stronger than I remember the Axiom ever being. I think after comparing my findings to other reviews, the S77 Response surface and Meditate Symmetric Core are just simply a stronger option.
As the games have added up, I’m finding exactly what I was hoping for. The surface is smoothing out and that’s opening up more opportunities to use this ball. The layout is giving me a nice tight flare which is helping me control tougher patterns. It’s also proving to blend out the hard edge of high ratio house patterns.
Overall, the ball may not be the go-to out of the bag, but it’s becoming the ball that simplifies the transition and becomes the security blanket when the pattern is confusing me.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes – St. Johnsbury, VT

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Roto Grip Idol Pearl
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’m a little late to the game on this one, but for a solid reason. I have a few friends who have been throwing this ball since its release and, like the original Idol, it seems to be a go-to ball in their bags.

I waited a while to drill this ball because I simply didn’t quite know where I wanted it to fit in my bag. Another symmetrical pearl didn’t quite have a home. Since I do 60-70% of my bowling on house patterns, I decided what I really missed was the ball to transition from the burned up track to the ball I usually end the night with. That late game 1 or early game 2 window where I’m not ready to wheel the lane, but I’m tired of weak corners or stubborn 4’s that won’t trip.

I put my favorite 4.5x4x2 layout on the Idol Pearl and what I found was the freedom to play the middle of the lane and open the angles without the crazy sharp, unpredictable snap… or lack thereof. It’s a bigger symmetrical core, so it’s not going to give up on you.

In my opinion, the Idol and Idol pearl together can get you from frame 1 to frame 30 on most house shots.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Roto Grip Rubicon UC3
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I was a teen in the mid-90’s when Urethane was still the dominant surface on what we would now call extremely short, low volume patterns. Aging synthetic surfaces and challenge/sport patterns have created a greater need for ball motion control. I avoided jumping on the urethane bandwagon for as long as I could; always able to adjust with speed, hand position and solid shot making. I eventually had to give in and get a Pitch Black and accept that this “old” technology was becoming a “new” necessity.

This season, our house pattern morphed into a heavy, flat mid-lane with a hard cliff at 9. I eventually gave into the over/under reaction I was getting and began throwing the Pitch Black. Surprising myself, I found a lot of “success”. Giving up the powerful pocket hits and crazy pin action for a controlled and predictable ball motion. But that was solving one problem and creating another.

Then I talked to my ball driller about other non-reactive options and he immediately suggested the Rubicon UC3. My first shot off the press… I was floored! A non-reactive ball that allowed me to move in and create predictable, powerful shape was not at all what I was expecting. This Tour-ethane cover’s ability to blend the edge of a super-cliffed house pattern and remain continuous on the backend without being super sharp off the friction is something I’ve spent a long time searching for.

If you're a speed dominant bowler who thinks they can’t throw urethane/non-reactive because they don’t have the rev to create power… this ball is going to absolutely change your outlook. You’ll stop fearing non-reactive after throwing the Rubicon UC3.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
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Storm Absolute
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’ve been doing a lot of league bowling in a house I never fair well in when I throw large core, asymmetrical pearl stuff. With some tournaments on the schedule, I decided to put a new Absolute in my bag. I still love and use my Dark Code, so I didn’t want to run any risk of replicating it. Obviously, the cores are different and even though both are in the R2S family, there has been some surface degradation in the Dark Code. So, no matter what, they’re going to be different.

Using it on a 25ml, 42’ 12:1 recently, I immediately noticed the 35x4.5x55 layout made it roll more in the middle of the pattern than my Dark Code does. For me, this has two benefits. When they’re fresh and I needed something to slow down and stand up a little earlier, this did it. But, since this is such a clean cover, when I had to make big zone moves in late in the shift or on the burn this ball got me through the early friction and gave me shape the others couldn’t.

On that particular shot, it wasn’t my go-to, but it definitely gave me shape and read every time I needed it. For some, this may not be a benchmark ball and that’s OK. Lower rev players who need a clean look and who go with a more skid/flip layout, this might be the ball for you. Especially in houses where friction is causing struggle.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes Pro Shop

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Storm All-Road
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I had my new Storm All-Road drilled up with a 5 x 4 ½ x 2 pin buffer layout. If there’s one thing I’ve found to be consistent in the HyRoad family, I always end up with a very late and angular reaction. Any attempts to thwart that through layout usually results in a poor performing ball. So, I decided to embrace the longer skid and hard hook phase.

I compared this ball to my current benchmark ball, the ProMotion. The difference was clear. As expected, the All-Road was much sharper on the back end where the ProMotion was smooth and predictable. I expected the Hybrid NRG surface, at 4000 abralon, to read a bit sooner. But it was certainly later than I expected.
Though it didn’t read the mid-lane as early as I thought it might, it certainly didn’t disappoint on the back end of the lane. With the larger symmetrical core, I know I can get a zone deeper with this ball and still see the core stand up and drive through the rack.

Team this with the new Gravity Evolve, Astro Physics, and a ProMotion and you’ve got all you’ll need to score big and consistent.
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Storm AstroPhysix
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
After throwing the original Physix for a few games I told my teammates that my dream ball would be the R2S cover stock coupled with the new Atomic Core. Well, who has 2 thumbs and some fantastic ideas? THIS GUY… and the Storm R&D team… I suppose.

So, I put a 2.5x6.25x1.5 layout on it. That did stand the core up a little bit more than I had intended when planning the layout, but after throwing it for a couple of sessions, the shape is what I was hoping for. The Atomic Core still revs up quick but the core position held a rounder shape on the back end. It responded quickly to back end friction. Misses right (on a house shot) sparked off quick. But quality shots held line and the ball stored energy to continue toward the 8-pin.

Nothing new about the R2S. It’s tried and true. It’s by far my favorite cover in all the Storm equipment I’ve thrown over the years. The Atomic Core does not disappoint inside the Astro Physix either. This ball should be the benchmark ball in your bag as you plan for fall leagues.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Axiom
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The not-so-new Storm Axiom. Thanks to COVID-19, I was just barely able to drill and throw it. I put a 5x4.5 layout on the new Orbital core. Couple of nice surprises here. The new N-E-X surface… is the earliest reading surface storm has. And, while I will say the out of box surface is probably too strong for a house shot, don’t be fooled by early read. This ball reads early and then suddenly finds another gear in the hook phase and goes more sideways than I expected.

My Omega Crux… with the same layout… while certainly creating more flare reads the lane in a similar fashion. I think these two will complement each other nicely.

This ball is a great “replacement” for the Phaze II or a ProMotion. If you liked either of those balls, you’ll like the Axiom as well.

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Storm Code X
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I laid out my Storm Code X with a 40x4.5x60. My goal was to get a better mid-lane read on those heavier and longer patterns. I wanted a ball that was slower through the hook phase.
Everything about this ball was spot on what I expected. Having thrown the Code Black and Code Red, the RAD4 core is just as predictable and controllable on the Code X.
The 3000 Abralon surface did shine a bit as the frames and games added up. The initial aggressive motion you generally see with high friction surfaces began to tame a bit. That’s not to say it became ineffective. As the lanes transitioned, I was actually able to stay with the Code X longer than anticipated. It still pushed through the heads and recovered on the backends where other surface equipment might have sparked early or burned up.
Like the Code Black and Red… Storm has hit another home run with the RAD4 core!
Brian Sumner

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Storm Crux Prime
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Spec cover stock on the Storm Crux Prime is the next significant advancement in bowling ball technology. This isn’t an overstatement. I have 10+ games on this ball already and there is no hint of lane shine or oil saturation. The ball is still reading the lanes as well as it did off the press.

So far, this ball performs as expected. I went with my favorite 3 ¼ x 6 ¼ x 2 ½ layout. No trick layouts. I want to see the full potential. Now, if you’re looking for some big hook monster that’ll go gutter to gutter on a lake of oil, let me manage your expectations. I tested this on a higher volume house shot. If you want this ball to put up some big numbers, here’s what you need to expect. The Crux Prime is going to dig in on the front part of the lane and give you a mid-lane shape you’re otherwise not going to get with a pearl or polished ball. This ball will NOT give you that “hockey stick” shape path. It does it’s damage by controlling the pattern, holding energy, and driving through the pins.

Who should throw this ball? Well… everyone should… but here’s who I think it’s going to help most. Speed dominant players (me) on high volume flat patterns. Lower rev players on longer or wider house shots. High rev players, you’re probably going to see a weaker backend reaction than you’re hoping for on a house pattern. If there’s a hint of early friction, you’ll see that typical deflection through the rack. This ball is a great tournament, challenge, or sport shot ball for you.

It’s early, but I am incredibly impressed with the new Spec cover stock technology. This is a game changer for sure! If you were a fan of the Alpha Crux… you should order this ball now.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Dark Code
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Storm didn’t just revive the Code Black and re-brand it, they used experience to create the next generation of one of the most popular lines in recent history, The Dark Code. Storm took the ever dependable and highly successful R2S cover and scienced it up a bit by mixing in components of the NeX cover to get the R2X.

I spent some time with Scott Bijolle in the shop at Gold Crown Lanes in St. Johnsbury Vermont. Sticking with Layout option 1 (of my 3), I went with a 4.25x1.5x4. Fully knowing this was going to flare big and flip hard on the dry. Afterall, that’s basically what the Code Black did and I LOVED it. After a few shots just to find a line, I quickly found that this ball was a beefed-up version of the Black. On shots I thought might skid right through the break, the ball began shaping up in the mid-lane and instead of rolling out, it took a left turn an obliterated the pocket. I tried tightening up my angles and saw the same thing, like it was programed to know where the pocket was from any angle. If I opened it up and really threw it at the ditch, it found it’s way to the pocket with very minimal deflection through the rack.

I’ve always loved the RAD core, and who doesn’t love the R2S? Storm took tried and true technology and improved it to revive the “Code” series in what may end up being the best one yet!

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes, St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Gravity Evolve
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I had my new Storm Gravity Evolve drilled up with a 5 x 4.5 x 2 pin buffer layout. Since the Sure Lock, I’ve had a hard time finding an aggressive solid surface on a high differential core that didn’t fight against me. The Spec surface on the ProMotion really compliments my 400-425 rev rate. But getting a high-flare potential asymmetrical core to make it clean through the hook phase has been tough for me. Especially on typical house shots.

The Gravity Evolve immediately looked different. I dedicated 4 solid games to this ball to see how it would react the more I had to move. Out of the box it did as any fresh new surface does; it was clean through the skid phase, strong through the hook phase, and continuous through the roll phase. The true test came as I began making large moves. By game 3 I was a zone or more deeper and the reaction was still true. In game 4 I decided to play with hand position and speed to see just how much I could get away with before really losing the read or carry. Like you would expect, a big asymmetrical core with that kind of surface can only go so far before you either need to ball down or dig really deep for more revolutions. None the less, I was very impress with how far I was able to go before I saw diminished results. Much further than I would expect out of any other aggressive surface and asymmetrical core.

This ball would be nicely grouped with the Astro Physics, ProMotion, and an !Q Tour Emerald. Lower rev players will love how it digs into the fresh pattern giving a strong shape off the end of the pattern. High rev players will love being able to keep that ball in play deeper into the league night or tournament squad.
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Storm Intense Fire
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Storm Intense Fire

Fall leagues are just around the corner and if you’re reading this, you’re obviously interested in the
Storm Intense Fire. Well… you should keep reading!

I used to be a bit skeptical of these hybrid cover stocks. Was there really a need for a cover option that specific? Well, the more I threw them on more challenging patterns and even some chopped up house shots, the more I saw why this technology is a must have in the bag. In fact, it’s becoming my go-to surface.

Storm’s R3S hybrid cover on the Intense Fire really stands out at the end of the pattern. I know that’s a buzz-term, but it’s true. I just spent a weekend bowling on two 40+ foot (41&45), 2.2:1 challenge patterns. Everywhere I looked I saw balls sparking off at the arrows or pushing well beyond the end of the pattern resulting in some really ugly leaves. I put the Intense Fire on the rack and immediately had more control of the pattern. The hybrid cover blended the motion of the ball so well. I was able to get a true read which translated to a relaxed grip and higher quality shots.

Since we were on a higher friction synthetic surface (and 25mls of oil), getting through the heads before the ball found friction was a must. THEN, needing read and power at the end of the pattern was key to better carry. I immediately saw a reduction in corner pins and better drive through the rack. That’s all because the R3S matches so perfectly with the RAD-E core. I’ll also add, while I personally did not find a need to alter the surface, I saw some fellow Storm bowlers who hit the surface with 2K or 4K Abralon pads to smooth it out even more! Totally adaptable. Something you don’t see with all other brands and balls.

The Intense Fire is a successful sequel to the original Intense and a must have addition to your bag this season!

Bowler Spects: PAP – 5” +5/8 vertical. Ball speed – 17-18mph. Rev Rate - 375+rpm. Axis Rotation – 50-60 degrees. Axis Tilt - ~15 degrees.

Layout: (Pin Buffer – 2”) 6 x 4 x 5.5

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm IQ Tour Emerald
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I am probably the only long time Storm equipment user who has never thrown a ball from the !Q line. So, with the !Q Tour Emerald being my first go ‘round, I have no previous experiences influencing my expectations.

I drilled up the !Q Tour Emerald with a 2.5x4.5 x1.5 layout. That brings the pin closer to my PAP which gives me a more stable roll down the lane. I’m likely not going to use this ball on a fresh, heavy, 40’ pattern. My options are lower volume league shots, patterns that become over/under or heads that burn.

I put a few games on a freshly oiled pair with a variety of surfaces and angles. When I threw the !Q Tour Emerald, I found that I was able to stay a little further right allowing the intricacies of my game to work for me. The symmetrical core allowed it to glide down the lane, but the R2S cover took over at the end of the pattern and allowed the ball to bite on the end. Where stronger surfaces and cores were burning up early, the !Q Tour Emerald gave me a dependable and controlled motion down the entire lane.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Omega Crux
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
It’s rare that I can love a ball this much after only a few games out of the box. I put a 5x4.5x4 (pin under) layout on the Omega Crux hoping to create a rounder, more controlled shape. The Catalyst core tends to produce a stronger and rounder shape. Wrapped with the new GI-20 cover, you get a strong asymmetrical pearl that digs in just a little sooner to create that strong arcing backend that hits like it was shot out of a cannon.

In my 2nd game out of the box I shot 300 in a tournament on a 5:1, 41’ challenge pattern. My strong solid pieces just couldn’t hold energy through the pattern and my strongest pearl pieces were leaving me pinched and blowing through the break. Started a new shift on fresh oil and decided to put the Omega Crux to work. After striking 20 out of 24 frames, it started getting some attention.

This ball is for real. Very versatile. A day after throwing on that challenge pattern, I threw a practice session on my wood lanes and house pattern. I had no problems lining up and seeing that same smooth, strong and dependable motion.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes Pro Shop

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Storm Parallax
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’ve had about 3 weeks to get to know the Storm Parallax. The up-side of waiting (procrastinating) is that I got to see this ball perform in more key circumstances.

Initially, I threw on a lower volume house shot. Played my comfort zone and saw what you expect from any new ball; great skid through the heads and continuation through the rack. As the pattern fried, I delt with the typical carry issues I see with asymmetrical stuff. The cover was so fresh and strong, it burned up energy had nothing left at the pins.

A couple of weeks later I began using it in my scratch league. We bowl on USBC White 2 (about 8 more mls than our house shot). Throwing the ball in practice, I just felt pinched. Anything tight jumped, anything wide kept skidding. But I kept at it, putting more and more frames on it when I could.

Recently, in that same league, I was struggling with reaction from another ball right out of the gate. I decided to go to the Parallax and open the angles. A spot on, perfect match for the pattern. The hybrid cover let the Aeroflo Core build energy and then started gripping at the end of the pattern and plowed through the rack as clean as possible.

I’ve been waiting for a ball as reliable as the Code Red was for me. Very similar motion, just a tad stronger… as expected with new technology. The Parallax has the dependability of a symmetrical and the power of an asymmetrical.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes, St. Johnsbury VT

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Storm Parallax Effect
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Storm Parallax Effect is the pearl cover in the growing Parallax family. The TractionX7 combines qualities from some of Storm’s best covers into one new aggressive and durable cover.

I went with a 45x4.25x35 layout. I felt like my original Parallax, though smooth, was still a bit more sideways than I hoped for. So, to allow the pearl cover of the Parallax Effect to go a little more forward, I opted for a slightly heavier rolling layout.

The bottom line is I have an asymmetrical ball I’m able to stay a little further right with and not have to worry about it sparking off the friction. I find asymmetrical pearls tend to give me an over/under reaction on a house shot and I generally end up putting them back in the bag within the first game. Based on my initial read of the ball, I believe the Parallax Effect will allow me to control the pattern and still get that strong asymmetrical striking power we all love.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes – St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Phaze 4
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Here’s my intentionally delayed review of the Storm Phaze 4. I generally have a good idea of what a ball is going to do within a few shots off the press. Lately, I’ve noticed some of my initial reviews don’t age well… for good or bad. So, the 2-week review of the Phaze 4 will feel more accurate.

35x4.25x55 put the pin in my ring finger and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite layouts. Knowing how hyper responsive the R2S can be on the friction, I wanted to control what I knew would be an angular core/surface combo by nature.

What I’ve noticed… I’ve been able to attack the friction of the walled up, 43 foot house pattern I bowl on. I’ve created more miss room front to back than I am used to seeing with other symmetrical pearls sporting smaller drill angles. Simple hand changes have allowed me to square up my angle in the beginning of the night and slowly migrate in without losing reaction or carry.

I’m expecting this to be my benchmark ball going forward. With such a clean read of the patter, even if the Phaze 4 isn’t the ball for the shot, you should be able to tell within a few shots what the lane is giving you with a high degree of accuracy.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes – St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Phaze V
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’ve been throwing my Phaze 5 in league for a couple of weeks now. Like many, I assumed it was going to be the Phaze 4 under cover. It’s not, and that’s OK.

Fortunately, I still throw my Phaze 4 regularly, so I can see a direct comparison. The first thing I noticed was a cleaner push through the front of the lane. I’m positive that’s due to the addition of the Reacta Gloss finish. Otherwise, like the other Phazes… this ball continues the benchmark of being one of the most aggressive symmetrical balls on the market.

Loving what I’m seeing and if you’re wondering if this would be a wise replacement for your Phaze 4 at events where that ball is banned, I’d say YES. Is it a 100% clone? No. But you can rest assured that Velocity Core and R2S pearl cover are every bit the winning combination you expect them to be.

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Storm Physix
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Storm PhysiX

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

This ball impressed me right off the press. That’s not something that happens for me very often. A few things I look for in any new ball are; when does it rev, where does it hook, and how does it drive through the rack? I generally get an unexpected reaction in one of those areas. Not with the PhysiX. I got exactly what I was looking for in all 3 phases.

I went with the pin buffer layout method for this ball. 3.5x6.25x2.5 (80x3.5x50 for you Dual Angle folks). Looking to take full advantage of the huge Atomic Core and the 3000 grit NRG hybrid cover, I wanted to see the ball rev early and hold a strong continuous hook phase. No reason to dummy this thing down. When you’ve got a big engine, you don’t cruise through a neighborhood, you race down the highway! Seriously though, I didn’t want to see this thing push 45 feet and bounce left nor did I want something stable and safe. I’m looking for muscle and versatility from fresh house patterns to those flatter, high volume challenge patterns.

I initially tested this thing out on a broken-down house pattern from a previous night. With that said, I assumed I would probably see very early read and a lazy backend reaction. Again, I was very happy to see the reaction I intended to get when I laid this out. Now, on the fresh the shape got a little more angular, but only slightly. Not that I would suggest throwing this ball late in your league night or beyond the transition in a tournament, but it is nice to know that if you’re lined up and throwing well, this ball could very well go the distance if you needed it to.

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Storm Pro-Motion
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I put my new Storm ProMotion to the test right out of the gate. I bowled in a tournament on a 7:1, 42’ challenge pattern. Having not thrown a single frame with it on a house shot, I kept my options open. To be completely honest, this ball wasn’t the benchmark ball for this pattern. I used it in 5-8 frame chunks in 2 different squads.

Like the Crux Prime, the Spec solid cover allows the ball to slow down and stand up in the mid-lane. As the shot tightened up forcing me to keep my angles tight, I found it easier to control the pocket.

The amount of flare I saw from the Piston core was unexpected. Even though I did go with a higher flaring layout (2x4x4), I didn’t expect to see the full 6” of flare on a symmetrical ball. With my higher ball speed and low axis tilt angle, getting as much fresh ball surface on the mid-lane as I can helps me recover and carry. The symmetrical core helped keep the shape of the ball predictable while playing tight, inside angles.

This ball would fit nicely in a bag with the Crux Prime, Astro Physix and the !Q Tour Emerald.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Proton Physix
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Storm Proton Physix is the solid cover-stock version of the Physix line of bowling balls. With the NEX cover and the larger Atomic core, this ball, like the others in the Physix family, wants to rev up quick and dig in.

I went with my favorite 75x4.5x45 layout. I was very happy with how well this aggressive cover and core dealt with the wet/dry pattern and wood surface I tested on. Where compared to anything peal the Proton Physix blended the hard edge of the pattern while the pearl stood up and rolled out. The Proton Physix opened the pattern for me and got stronger and stronger the more I moved in.

You’re going to get what you expect out of this ball. It’s ability to pick up, recover and take a hard arc to the pocket is precisely why this ball will work on a range of patterns from medium to heavy volume.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes – St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Soniq
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Storm Son!q

I drilled up the Storm Son!q to be a symmetrical compliment to the other R2S coverstocks in my bag. Besides a few practice tosses with it, its first game action came in the Vermont State Championships. Throwing on a 45 foot pattern on a wood surface, I decided to give the Son!q a go to even out the hard game 2 transition. I got dialed-in in the 10th and went on to shoot 300 game 3. The next squad began immediately after and I started with the front 7 ending on a 10-pin.

Technically speaking, I put a 45x4.5x55 dual angle layout on it. (pin under). I can see the ball gradually pick up roll and when it hits the end of the pattern… it revs up and takes a very strong arching drive to the pocket. Exactly what I need when the middle of the lane is juiced up or when I need to get around carry down. It really compliments my higher speed/lower axis angles combo (a little up the back of the ball).

This ball is everything I was promised it would be. I’ve thrown MANY polished symmetrical balls in my day. None of them have the ability to be as continuous and strong as this one is. I’m extremely impressed with the marriage of the Centripetal HD Core and the R2S coverstock.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Super Soniq
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Just got back from the Open Championships and I can tell you, this ball was THE go-to for me this year.
If you’ve bowled the OC’s, you know what a FLAT pattern looks like. For most, (even pros) these patterns are head-scratchers to say the least. So for me, I needed something to keep me in play. Something that didn’t over-read the short pattern and something that wouldn’t blow through the long.

I laid this out with a 4 ¼ x 5 ¾ x 3 ½. This is the same layout I have on my original Son!Q and I love the way the position of this core shapes. Like my Physix, the cover helps me out by slowing it down toward the end of the pattern. Like my Son!Q, the core position helps the ball curve and roll more forward. At the OC’s where speed kills and grabbing it will send it waiving pas the head-pin, this ball kept me in the game on both patterns. I used it more toward the end of teams (shorter pattern) and more in the middle of Singles and Doubles (longer pattern).

I only have a handful of games with it on a house shot. In the house I bowl in the most, there simply isn’t enough oil to use this ball very long. Like any new dull surface ball, early friction just kills the reaction. So, if you bowl on a lighter volume house pattern, be mindful of that.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff

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Storm Trend 16 Only
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Trend is the most recent ball to house the Belmo Piston Core. It’s also the next in a long line of successful pieces to wear the popular R2S coverstock.

I’ve had a few Pro-Motions, so I had some high expectations for this ball. What made the Pro-Motion so attractive was is absolute glide from front to back as if it were floating. I knew the R2S cover would probably bite a little harder in the dry, so I wasn’t surprised to see a very angular hook phase. Even with the pin drilled out of my ring finger, the ball still sparks off the friction.

For me, that motion is perfect on extremely wet/dry house shots or later in a set when a heavier pattern has forced me inside my comfort zone. I need that grab after crossing almost the entire pattern.

On our med-low volume house pattern, this ball has been my go-to out of the bag. Depending on how the shot breaks down, I either progress to my Pro-Motion or my !Q Tour Emerald. In my scratch league we bowl on USBC White 2. This has been the ball I go to later in the set, usually when a zone move with my Parallax isn’t working out.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes, St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Trend 2
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I’ve been throwing the Trend 2 for a few weeks now. House shot, Challenge Patterns and Sport Shots. The common thread in all cases is how well the ball reacts off the end of the pattern.

I opted to go with a layout that ultimately ended with the pin drilled out. This gives me more of the “pin under” feel through the skid phase, but I get an extended hook phase without losing the powerful angle off the end of the pattern. Credit the hybrid NRG cover for a some of that too!

The Piston LD Core gives me that same tight, medium flare I’ve seen on the original Trend, the Axiom (solid) and the ProMotion. All balls that have been, at one time or another, staples in the bag. Like those balls, the Trend 2 is proving to be dependable when I’m in trouble. When big asymms are slowing down too early and fast symmetrical cores are creating crazy over/under, this Trend 2 has managed some pretty tough patterns and allowed me to stay in contention and saved a few cuts for me already!

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes
St. Johnsbury, VT

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Storm Virtual Energy Blackout
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
235
PAP:
5 up 5/8
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
My Virtual Energy Blackout sports my favorite 4.25x2.5x4 layout. I’ve had the same or similar layout on the Code Black and Dark Code. Mixing the Shape-Lock core with the R2X cover is the next logical step in a highly successful line of equipment.

I feel like from the Code Black to the Virtual Energy Blackout, each ball has been cleaner through the heads and stronger on the backend.

I’ve thrown this ball in a few different houses on different patterns ranging from house to challenge conditions. The most consistent characteristic from pattern to patterns is the reliability on the ball making it down the lane to the spot. For that reason, the Virtual Energy Blackout has become the ball I get a read of the pattern with even if it’s not the ball I end up competing with.

A smart choice for anyone to make this a top 3 in their arsenal.

Brian Sumner
Storm Amateur Staff
Gold Crown Lanes - St. Johnsbury, Vermont

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