What would be a better step down from the brick?  The taboo jet black or the epidemic?

My recommendation for a step down from the Brick would be the Arson Pearl or Jet Black with 4000 surface on the ball.  Both are great compliments. Hope this helps ya!

Brick is more banana-shaped on the lane with good midlane roll/reaction, a taboo jet black or epidemic will be further down the lane with more angular motion. I don't necessarily say that "compliments" a ball. A step down - would be the Arson, which will be 5-6 boards weaker overall, and 2-3 feet longer but still keep that archy/rolly shape. Taboo Jet Black is 42 feet straight, 18 feet sideways. Probably the most angular ball out in terms of all companies.

a polished Ratchet will do the trick, but it will still roll a little earlier than the Arson Pearl & Epidemic. There are so many options that you can go with in the current Hammer arsenal. It is great to have those options too