Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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10 years after the launch of the DV8 brand they are raising hell again by bringing back an updated version of the original Hell Raiser in the DV8 Hell Raiser Return. The core is the same but in a D.O.T. version with added DynamiCore for increased durability and powerful pin hitting. The coverstock has been updated for today's lane conditions. The colors on this ball look awesome and it was designed to perform even better than the popular original version. The Hell Raiser core and the Inciter Max Flip Pearl Reactive coverstock pair up on medium to heavy oil conditions to produce a strong mid-lane and backend reaction.

Color: Red/Yellow/Black
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Core: Hell Raiser D. O. T
Coverstock: Inciter Max Flip
RG: 2.537 (15# ball)
Differential: 0.053 (15# ball)
Finish: 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair/Crown Factory Compound
Hook Potential: 295
Length: Late
Reaction: Strong midlane and backend
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to heavy oil

Ordered myself a Hell Raiser Return for the sake of nostalgia as I remember having the original 10 years ago and shooting 290 my first game out in a tournament.  I drilled my Hell Raiser Return 45x4.25x25 with the intention of adding a more unique shape to my bag.  My release is more spinny so I typically like bowling balls that rev up quickly so I decided to go with a stronger layout than usual to make sure that this ball wasn't going to be lazy.

This ball definitely reminds me of the original - from the vibrant colours to the way it rolls.  The Hell Raiser Return definitely gets through the front part of the lane with ease, revs up later than most other higher end balls in my bag and has some good finish off the back end but nothing too sharp.  This is a very different roll than my Zenith Pearl (which has a core that revs sooner but has a weaker cover) and in terms of shape is a little more like my Prism Warp Hybrid but is that next step longer down the lane. 
I've used this ball on our house pattern, 41' Beaten Path and one of the Weber Cup Patterns.  Our house is typically on the slicker side so it usually has been a little too clean through the fronts to give me the forgiveness I need, but has shined on all 3 after 3 games (2 bowlers per lane due to covid).  The strong coverstock prevents this ball from being as oil sensitive as the original, but its shinier surface and high rg (less rolly) core gets this ball further down the lane than at least I had expected.

I have found the Hell Raiser Return to be happiest when I get it right quickly and never seems to want to jump off the dry boards.  Staying in the track has looked good, but I have had the most success opening my angles a little bit and winging it at the friction.  In the video below, you will see how it is a bit rollier than a comparable ball with a weaker cover and far less sensitive to the dry boards.  This consistency when playing near the dry boards makes the Hell Raiser Return a ball worth putting in my bag.

Bowlers with heavier rolls, more rev rate and softer speed will like this ball the most but it will find its way into the bag of more balanced players such as myself on higher friction surfaces.  If you want to bully medium oiled lanes with a strong ball that will retain some hook for the mid to latter part of the lane, please check this ball out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZJAsEv_qiQ&t=212s

Speed: 17.9
RPM: 480
PAP: 5 7/8 RT x 2 1/4 DN
No-thumb, one league per week, tournaments when I can. Tremendous slouch.

What’s old is new, and that’s a good thing.

The Hell Raiser absolutely put DV8 on the map. Ten years ago, the Hell Raiser provided a look on the lanes and an attitude that had not been seen before. DV8 is proud to bring to you the Hell Raiser Return for DV8’s 10th anniversary. This updated version features the same revered asymmetric Hell Raiser core as the original, but they took the time to recreate it in a DOT version and added DynamiCore to increase it’s durability and hitting power. Also updated is the colors and cover, Inciter Max Flip, to make sure it looks incredible and outperforms the original.

The out of box surface is 500/1000/1500 and then finished with Crown Factory Compound and paired with the core and cover combination is intended to have strong mid lane and backend motion on medium to heavy oil, and that’s exactly what i get with my chosen layout of 4.125x5x2.625 to further promote that snappy, quick response off of the dry. The Hell Raiser Return might not be the first ball out of my bag on a fresh condition but it usually sees time on the lanes once the pattern starts to transition and a solid is reading the lane too early. This is by far the ball that I trust the most when I stand left, aim right and full send it to the dry to come back HARD to the pocket. But even with that said, the Hell Raiser Return with OOB surface, to me, reads the mids earlier like a hybrid even though it’s a pearl cover. When I’m rolling it there’s almost a guaranteed chance that a messenger will connect with and take out that dreaded 10-pin ...and we all like to see that.

DV8 has truly gone back to it’s roots with loud, bold and in-your-face colors on the Hell Raiser Return choosing Red, Yellow and Black with White lettering. If you recall the original Hell Raiser, or find pictures on the inter webs, you will probably see more yellow used on it in comparison the the Hell Raiser Return. Whatever the case, the ball looks wonderful and I love being able to see how the ball revs as it goes down the lane and as it’s driving through the pins.

Premium performance, you won’t be disappointed in the Hell Raiser Return.

Be well, rip racks ...and shred pins.