Right handed Tweener
17mph
375 rpm
65 deg* Rotation
4 deg* Tilt

Layout: 50 x 4 1/2 x 45
500-1000-Factory Finish Polish
 
I picked this ball up from a member after the US Open. I have put about 12 games on it this week in my early morning practice sessions and this ball is amazing. Let me start by saying, I am not a staffer. This will be the ball of the New Year for a lot of people and may be that mid season slumpbuster for guys looking for a new ball. This is what I mean by that.

I've played this ball in 3 different houses, twice around 7:30-8:00 AM and once in league. The first session was the burn from the league night before and the late night play. Even though the lanes were hooking, there was still plenty of head oil. In comparison to a Rocket with the same layout and finish the Code Black was much cleaner to the breakpoint with a sharper/more continuous change of direction. I was able to strike from many different angles, but the Code Black allowed me to stand 5-6 left at all times from the Rocket. I could get as far left as 5th arrow which is nosebleed section for me and still get wide shots to finish strong enough for late trip 9s and messenger 10s. Shots that I tugged in the oil finished very strong and didn't plack the pocket for buckets and 2-pin combinations like my other equipment. The only other ball I had that would finish from these angles was a Pin Down Marvel Pearl.

In the other house, they've had fresh oil this early in the morning and the Code Black was even more impressive on the fresh. For an angular assymetric ball, it plays straight angles extremely well. When most assymetric pearls balls want to overread the friction from down and in angles, the Code Black blends the pattern like a lower rg strong ball should. As you open the angles up, that's where you see the real strength of this ball. It doesn't waste any energy through the fronts. When the ball picks up late in the mids you get a STRONG DRIVE back to the pocket. Rarely did I see that "Flip-back, hit light" reaction that you can get with a skid snap ball sending it too wide on a THS. It gets through the fronts like a low end ball, revs up and drives on the back like a high end assymetric ball. I'm getting over 6" of flare in this ball without a hole and it has no quit on the backend.

In other words, this ball is very versatile. I saw so many players using this at the US Open from the fresh to the double burn squads. It's rare that you get a ball designed to hook huge on the backend that's this readable and versatile. All styles are going to be able to keep this ball in play for huge scores in league.

This is going to be a great mid season release that will turn a lot of heads. And if you're looking for something different reaction wise, I would pay the premium price for this.

This reminds me a lot of that original X-Factor in the early 2000s.

Thank you DP....

it's too bad I don't bowl in areas where I can use this ball. I'd get this for sure if the AMF house I bowl had enough oil.

My hyroad pushes me left and it's very forgiving from the ocean deep, but labors if head oil is gone.

I wonder if this ball will be long lasting (sales) like the hyroad....

An honest non staffer review? Where am I??

I said it before. This ball looks like a winner, and I'm not a huge Storm fan.

this ball will make me look like a hooker

this ball will make me look like a hooker

What, it's gonna get you in some high heels and booty shorts? XD

DP3 claims to have both in his arsenal, and he has the Code Black listed underneath the Snap Lock. I'm guessing that means that the Snap Lock picks up a bit quicker and is a touch smoother. From what I've seen a both, that's how I'm seeing it, but DP3 can probably give you more first-hand insight there.

I know this question might be a long shot but, does the Primal Fear and the Code Black make any sense in the same bag? I just picked up the Primal Fear a few weeks ago and love it. I also feel like I shouldn't pass up what seems like a great marriage between core and coverstock. Conflicted as I try to limit my ball purchases to only filling holes or direct replacement.

The Code Black seems Morich Ravage like in numbers and in shape. If that's the situation I'll buy a case of them. I can attest to DP's statement of the East Coast lacking oil and most Big Block Asyms come with a strong cover to boot making the ball unusable, even on the sport patterns. It leaves you having to do short pin to pap layouts or Large drilling angles so the MB is in the Thumb making the ball more Symmetric like in nature.

In talking with Hank Boomershine a few weeks ago, this ball is the IT ball from Storm. I didn't get the opportunity to throw it at our demo but everyone who got to came away impressed to the point where we had a bunch of pre-orders that day.