Storm Absolute Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5 1/2" x 40 degrees

RG: 2.54"

Differential: .045"

M/b: .021"

Surface: Reacta Gloss

Core shape: Asymmetric

In most cases, an extra slug, or weighted disk, is needed to create enhanced dynamics, but the evenly weighted masses at both ends of the Sentinel Core upgrades this effect more than a single slug ever could. This ensures the Absolute will change direction and continue through the pins better and more consistently. This is the first single-density asymmetric core in the Storm line since the Lucid. The R&D team has also reduced the amount of weight block mass near the area where the thumb hole is typically placed. The inward angled edges increase the intermediate differential prior to drilling and allows the dynamic integrity to be preserved after drilling because the thumb hole misses the weight block. The extra intermediate differential makes the Absolute respond to friction on the lane more effectively and won’t miss the spot.

My Absolute was drilled with a tall pin, 5 1/2" from my positive axis point. maximizes length for me while still ensuring some backend motion. I recently tried a longer pin distance on a high-performance ball and got it so close to the track that it actually flared backwards. Lesson reminded, and I won't be trying that again. I went with the same angles as many of my recent drillings, as I'm settling into the old tried and true layouts. The first thing I noticed about the Absolute is how long it is down the lane despite having a super strong asymmetric core shape. There are many instances where high mass bias cores would blow up in the mid-lane for me and not do much down lane. I don't see that at all with the Absolute. It gets super clean through the front of the lane, and then gives me a somewhat skid/flip to strong arc type of backend.

I don't feel like the Absolute is quite as quick off of the spot down lane as some of Storm's other super snap type balls right now (Dark Code, Exotic Gem), but it is quick to see friction for me. The slightly more controlled down lane means this one is going to be a little better for me personally while the backends are still fresh, or when I'm looking for strong performance with a clean cover. This difference in shape is actually a welcome addition to the Storm line in my opinion. Sometimes you get so many of the same shapes that it just becomes a color choice. I feel like Absolute offers something very different for the typical Storm user. It's not a slow response ball at all. But it does have a bit of a different shape from what users have normally seen.

There's been a lot of people that have tweaked the cover on this ball after giving it a try. You'll see a lot of that in popular videos out there. I haven't tried that yet with my Absolute. I still throw a Phaze 2 when I'm looking for earlier and smoother movement, and I'm not sure why I would try to force this ball into that shape. My Phaze 2 is nearly four years old now and is still better at doing what it does than any ball I've seen. I'm almost done even trying to make a ball do what it does. Better to take new gear and try to fit them into other holes in the bag at times.

Absolute comes in a 3-color coverstock that is actually fairly easy to read as it travels down the lane. While the colors contrast a little bit, they're easy on the eyes and make this one easy to see the motion on. It comes in Storm's Reacta Gloss finish, which is still a bit of a mystery. We don't have an exact definition of what that means for the underlying grit. But I can tell you it's extremely shiny out of the box. It's likely a very fine grit finish with Storm's new Reacta Gloss polish on top.

Storm's Absolute will be available January 20th at Total Bowling Gear. Come by and see us for more information!