Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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In the past 6 months, Storm has aggressively stepped up research and development of new coverstock materials. Some of the nation's top Pro Shops were recently solicited for additional testing. Of the 4 variations of coverstocks tested by the more than 50 top Pro Shop and Storm's renowned Pro Staff, more than 1/2 the preferred the new Storm Monsoon coverstock.

*Benefits of the Monsoon Coverstock -Monsoon is softer enhancing mid-lane performance -Monsoon has strength and durability -Monsoon is versatile and easy to adjust -Monsoon generates optimum entry angle in heavy oil

The Fear Factor features the new Monsoon cover with an MT (Medium Traction) soft particle load designed to distribute energy more evenly on heavy oil patterns.

The new RAD Triple Disk Weight Block features an extremely dense narrow disk added to the center of the RAD design.

*Benefits of RAD -Lowers the RG to 2.49 for an earlier moment of inertia -Enhances mid-lane energy -Maintains a high differential (0.060) -Exposes fresh, dry coverstock the entire length of the lane -Strong preferred spin axis with mass bias (intermediate) differential of .020

The new Fear Factor is a synchronized in bowling balls intended to give a strong overall reaction. If your Fear Factor is heavy oil...Fear no more!

Specifications:
Line Master
Color Gold/Emerald/Ruby
Coverstock Particle
Core 2-piece Asymmetrical
RG 2.49
Differential 0.060
Factory finish 800 grit Matte
Weights 10 thru 16lbs
Lane Conditions Medium-Heavy Oil

WHOA...
This ball does exactly what Storm said it would do. I drilled mine 5 inch pin, Mass Bias in the strong position, box finish. I used it on a puddled up house condition, which had consideraable carry down. I kept it in the puddle to see what it would do on oil. This ball motors heavy in the mid lane and you expect it to be used up at the break point, BUT it does not quit. This ball has an awesome continous motion through the pins. This is without a doubt, the strongest heavy oil ball Storm has ever made. I have had great performance from all of the Storm balls in the Master Line. In this day and age of hype, hype, hype it is nice to see a ball do what they say it will. Nice job Storm!

Thunder

Storm may have finally made a good heavy oil ball, for those of us without a ton of hand.  I had the Trauma Response, and it hooked a lot when it hit the dry, but always seemed to die out before it got to the pin deck.  La Nina was a great ball, but very short life span.  Got my Fear Factor drilled stacked leverage, and it hooks a good deal, but controllably.  Used it on a little more oil, with some carrydown and still gave me enough entry angle to carry.  I'm not the biggest Storm fan in the world, but this looks like a real winner.  If the coverstock can hold up reasonably long, then this should be one of the better oil balls on the market.  The RAD weight block really shows it's muscle coming around the breakpoint for this ball, and maintains more power at the pins than my Response did.  Great job Storm!!

RevMonster
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Wow, drilling this ball turned out to be a waste after all. I was bowling after work today and took it to the shop to polish… and they told me it’s illegal! The ball has too much finger AND side weight!

I had to drill another damn weight hole over the fingers to take care of this, now the ball looks like a mess. He told me if my Slay/R is laid out the same, it’s probably illegal too. Why would Storm make a ball that can do this??
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First i wish i could review this ball - but its not in Australia yet.

Secondly - dont blame Storm - blame the person who drilled it. Any ball can be drilled illegally if you have the wrong person doing it. I would make them replace it as they stuffed it up.

Storm rule - Hurry up balls roll over to Australia.

Punched up a Fear Factor for my brother, as I have no need for a big hooker in my personal lineup.

This ball is a big hooking ball, however it needs oil to get it down the lane or it will roll out and hit like a pancake, as with all heavy particle balls.

As for the RevMonster, 1) buying new balls online and not having a say in pin/top weight is mistake #1.  and 2) drilling balls in a basement without knowing what you're doing and without a scale is also not a bright idea.  

Either spend money and get a scale and learn to balance a ball, or spend some money and have somebody with a background in drilling balls drill your stuff and keep it legal.
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~Matt
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MSulzer5710@aol.com
Level I Certified Coach
Long Island, NY
Sportstop Bowler's Shop

I finally stopped batting my head against the wall with my Raging Inferno, and swapped it for a Fear Factor today.  I guess I decided I had punished Storm long enough for the La Nina and El Nino 2000 particles.  The Fear Factor had a 2 inch pin that I put just under my ring finger to yield 5 inch pin to PAP.  I kicked the cg out about 3/4 of an inch to put the mb just into the positive quadrant.

This is an extremely aggressive ball.  The shell reacts a lot like the Flipside WOW, but the strong core gives it more continuation.  Even with the strong core I found myself leaving a lot of flat 10's on a fresh long house shot if I wasn't real pure with the release.  I think it will probably be best on flooded heads with long oil, but clean back ends.  The big problem I had with the old Storm particles was that that would react great on one shot then hang on the back end the next shot where I felt like I got out of it just as good.  This ball seems to react the way I throw it.  I need to be clean  and keep my revs up to keep it from burning, but if I do that I get a pretty consistent reaction.  Balls like this are never the first out of my bag, but I can see two places where it could really be valuable.  Like my WOW it will fight the early skid and allow me to play a direct shot out way to the right on a flatter sport type pattern, similar to what worked reasonably well in Knoxville.  I also am anxious to try it deep where there is still a puddle at 4th arrow, but you can't move back to the right even with a mellow ball.  The WOW was disappointing in there.

My Fear Factor has a 3 inch pin and 2.86 top weight before drilling.  I put the pin under/right of my ring finger, about 4 1/2 inches from my axis point.  Put the mass bias out to the right in about a 75 degree position.  I left the surface in the box condition, which is kinda dullish.

My ball works very well on fresh conditions.  It rolls pretty early and burns up fairly quickly when the heads go away.  This ball is awesome the closer you get to the gutter when the condition allows.  Outside 10 THIS ball shines, but the farther left I have to get, the weaker it is.  I think a little polish would fix this.  I don't plan on polishing this ball, think I want to drill another one and polish it, because....

I also drilled a Fear Factor for my wife, Janette.  I used a lable drill with the pin next to her ring finger, and the cg in the grip, kind of a label shift, about a 100 degree layout, putting the mass bias below her thumb hole.  I polished this ball with Storm #2 and Storm #3.  This ball gets very good length, with a strong back end motion, and hits VERY well.  Her ball hooks more than her Thing, with a similar layout.  Hooks more than her Shock Trauma which is in the box finish.

For me myself, I am not a big fan of the X Factor balls, I think they work better for straight players or higher speed players.  The X Factor balls quit on the back end a little for me.  I think my speed is just too slow.  That being said, The Fear Factor does NOT quit on the back end.  It has that midlane roll, but keeps on going.  Hitting power is very good.

I think the Fear Factor is a ball that many people will be able to use.  You will need some oil.  Higher speed players will be able to use this ball on mediums, probably with some polish.  Straight players will like this ball on most any lane condition except dry, with the right surface adjustments.  I think this ball will be more versatile than the X Factor balls also.  Nice ball, significant improvement.


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Mike Austin
Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX
strikes4days@sbcglobal.net

Onward through the Storm!!!!

Check out my web site - www.BirdDogBowling.com

Test ball: 15 lbs., pin 3-5/16", drilled leverage/axis: Pin 3-3/8" from PAP, CG on PAP, X-hole on PAP—net 7/8 oz. positive side, ½ oz. finger.
Bowler: RH, medium speed, 'rotationally-challenged'.

Reports stated that this was a STRONG ball; therefore, for control, and because the pin distance was almost perfect for it, drilled it leverage/axis. Expected some length and a smooth, arcing finish down-lane. I got the length- but I did NOT get an arc. Nossirree. The ball has great length, and it will even scoot through the heads when they're starting to get fried; but it is ANYTHING but arc-y. In fact, the ball's back-end, despite the drilling layout and its particle coverstock, is more like a resin ball than anything else—it's the 'snappiest' particle ball I've ever thrown. PLENTY of strength to turn the corner SHARPLY, and it saves up lots and lots of energy for the pins- it hits VERY hard. The sharpness of the break was a real (and pleasant) surprise; also, it really doesn't seem to care much about carrydown, it keeps that strong finish when resin balls are starting to scoot. On a house Xmas-tree pattern, it can play most of the night, with minor moves left to keep ahold of enough oil to get it down-lane; but once the heads and midlanes start to go together, it's time to put it away- it is WAY too strong for lanes that are that far gone.

STRONG POINTS: This ball loves oil. It WILL hook and it WILL hit—VERY VERY hard!! Give it room, and it will come right back for you. I have not seen a condition where it would fail to turn the corner. EXCELLENT ball for playing deep inside line on a house shot- will finish and hit beautifully.

WEAK POINT: Dry wood in the heads and midlanes. It'll tolerate some toast in the heads, but if the heads and midlanes start to dry out, it'll chase you off the approach. WAY too strong for dry.