We threw test balls of this one 6-8 weeks ago.  Phil Platko, Johnny DeBenedetta, and myself drilled the test balls with our favorite drillings (pin under the ring, cg kicked with a hole, for Phil and Johnny, and stacked over the ring finger for myself).  This ball rolls great!  We bowled on a freshly oiled, 40 foot, house pattern at the Orleans Hotel and Casino here in Las Vegas.  Surface at the Orleans is Brunswick ProAnvilane, so there are not great backends especially with such a long pattern.  We all, of course, were more square than normal due to the pattern/lane type, but all had great success with the ball polished and then gradually scuffed with a maroon pad.  This ball reads the mids well and still is sharp at the breakpoint even though it is a solid. We have also thrown this ball on dryer patterns at the Gold Coast and Sunset Station's new Strike Zone bowling center with much success.
       This will be STORM's best answer so far to compete in the Mid Price range!  The competition better hope STORM doesn't continue on this trend (fat chance!) to compete at all ball levels!  
       
PS.  By the way, this ball is PITCH BLACK...so it's easy to find on the rack!  Great job STORM PRODUCTS!
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Ken Keegan
K&K Bowling Services
www.bowlinglasvegas.com

*UPDATE*

Took it out for its first full league night tonight. I used it for the first two games of a three-game set and finished with a Roto Grip Silver Streak SE in the third game.

To try to better describe the drill pattern on this ball, the "storm" symbol is about an inch and a half below the ring finger, straight down, while the pin is above and to the left of the ring finger. I'd had someone complain to me that I wasn't specific enough about the drilling pattern, but that's what you get when the reviewer is a newspaper editor and not a pro shop operator.

Our league shot has been fairly wet as late, with heavier-than-usual concentration and length on the outside boards. The biggest problem that I and my teammates have had is backend reaction. The opinion tonight of most of us was that the shot was a little dryer than usual.

What I saw was a medium shot with a nice backend, but it was speed-sensitive. There was definitely out-of-bounds area down the lane if you threw it too fast. Slower-than-desired shots were not holding.

I was hoping to use the ball for the entire set, but things simply got too dry as the night went on.

I began by playing my usual line, which is to put the ball down around 14-17, swing to 5-8, with about 16-16.5 mph and play a power arc. The ball did fine with this approach, but I could tell it wanted me to move left and give it more room, so I did.

Once I got my speed corrected, I found I could target 17-20, swing to 4-6 FAR down the lane, and still get a good reaction. The coverstock (it's in box condition, ~1000 matte) also allowed me to play much tighter if I wanted to (down on 20-22, swing to 13-15). I carried well on all shots.

Tonight simply backed up my first impression of the ball I got on drilling day: If you're a Storm fan, this ball is pretty much a must-get.

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ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Just drilled this ball up today. The ball had a 2.5-3 inch pin with about 1.5 oz of top weight. I play mostly the right half of the lane and prefer to play equipment that arcs rather than skids/snaps. The ball is 14lbs, the result of me moving down from 16lbs due to wrist health issues.

Rarely am I floored by the reaction of a ball. The first time was with the original Thunder Storm, and it happened again the first time I drilled up a X-Factor. I have to say it happened again today. This ball hooks, and it keeps hooking. Even though only 14 lbs, there was no deflection through the pin deck and I covered all corner pins during the set I used this ball.

It's a shame this ball is so rare. Storm should release this one nationwide as soon as possible. I was able to play in, out, cross board, go down and in, basically whatever line I wanted to play. It did not over-under like the original Thunder Storm had a tendency to do some of the time, and it's extremely easy to manipulate axis tilt to get a different set of reactions down the lane if you want to.

This is probably the best ball I've had drilled up in five or six years, if not longer. Or at least, it fits my game better than any other.

Jess

My first thought on the Dark Thunder is that it is one smooth piece of equipment. The ball has a very controllable, gradual motion on the lane with a strong midlane and hard arc on the backend. It doesn't roll too early or have too much backend, it is just very easy to read. The Dark Thunder is the type of benchmark ball that Storm has not had in their line in a while that everyone should have in their bag. It would also be ideal for PBA or sport patterns where control is the key. If you are looking for a powerful ball that you will always know where it is going, pick up a Dark Thunder.
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www.stormbowling.com
www.juniorbowling.comhttp://

I purchased my Dark Thunder a couple of months ago.  It's a 16 pounder with 2.55 oz top weight.  I am very impressed and it's the absolute best ball I've ever owned.  If you like a ball that hooks and blows the pins straight back in the pit, then this one is for you.  My game continues to improve weekly, and high scores are more frequent.  What more can you ask for!  Thanks, STORM for one fabulous ball!

Just to give you an idea, i drilled this ball pretty mellow, but it still blows the pins right out of the pit.

---P------
----F-F---
------C---
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-----T----
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F=Finger
T=Thumb
P=Pin
C=Center of Gravity (CG)

I hope this review can be of help to anyone looking for a "re-entry" ball if they've been away from the game for awhile.

I was a decent bowler (180+)as a kid but left the game over 25 years ago.  Wanting to bowl with my kids and intrigued by the new technology, I've wanted to get back to bowling for years.  I just now got it done.

Searching for a ball was bewildering.  I did not want a monster I couldn't control, or something too specific to lane conditions.  Upon the advice of several pros and reviews I chose this ball for its reputed hook potential, predictability and versatility.  Other balls high on my list and highly recommended were the Roto Horizon, Storm Spitfire and Thunderstruck Pearl.

Dave at Bowling Dynamics in Phoenix drilled this for me w/o knowing my PAP. 15 pounds, 3 oz top weight.  2" pin.  1000 grit.  He placed the pin just below and right of my ring finger, with the CG about 3/4" right of the grip centerline.  Very comfortable fit.  "Don't worry," he said.  "This is a great ball for you.  Since you last bowled, this thing will seem like a smart bomb."

Bowled on fresh oil on a Monday afternoon.  I guessed on the line, moved a little left to allow for some hook, and put it between the 1st & 2nd arrows.  In spite of the stiff & rusty delivery, I hit the mark.  Dark Thunder skidded, rolled and then, like a robot, made a smooth,perfect arc into the pocket. BOOM! I'm not sure any pins touched the deck before landing in the pit.  Second shot---same thing.  I stood there laughing like I'd won the lottery!  I was astonished by the ball reaction and how it blew the pins off the deck.

Of course, the fun wouldn't last forever, but while struggling to get a feel for the game again (forgot how to shoot spares), I managed a 186, 195, 205,and 195 after a lousy first game.  After a few games I felt very much in control of the ball and was able to influence its action to a great degree.  When I got the speed right and hit my mark, the ball did exactly what I wanted it to.  It seems like an ideal ball for re-learning the game.

I was surprised by a couple of 10 pins and an 8-10 leave on a pocket hit---I think I might have been trying to force it.  It left a couple of 4 pins on slightly light hits.  However, it produced thunderous strikes on Brooklyn hits, and made some ridiculous carries on bad hits.  Pins seemed to be flying everywhere.  

I found a ball that I was able to take control of right away, that hits with energy and likes the conditions I'll encounter for awhile. It way surpassed my expectations.   I'd highly recommend Dark Thunder for bowlers in my situation who need to think about things other than what the ball is doing. This one will take care of itself if you get the delivery right.  I did have to look around a bit to find it.  It was worth the search.

Oh, yeah.  I'm an old school guy.  The plain black ball looks G-R-E-A-T!!!