- Raging Bull

First Impressions
The original Seismic Raging Bull shows up in a dark but striking color combination of black and red. Inside this model works the asymmetric HORNcore, which acts as an extremely powerful engine. With a low 2.49 RG, a high 0.055 differential and an intermediate differential of 0.020, this core is structurally built for massive flare potential and immense torque. The outer layer uses the so-called AgRS Solid Reactive cover. To bring out its full performance on oily conditions, the ball ships from the factory with a coarse, matte finish. This specific pairing of core and cover components aims to give the ball extremely early traction on the lane. The hard technical specs point unmistakably to an asymmetric high-performance heavyweight. Instead of reacting only at the end of the lane, the Raging Bull digs deep into the oil pattern and establishes a very even, strong and continuous roll phase. That should avoid unexpected reactions in favor of a stable ball motion that gives the bowler a maximum of control on difficult, heavily oiled patterns.
Comparison Compared directly to its sister model, the Seismic Raging Bull Charged with its polished pearl surface, the solid version under review here shows a fundamentally different ball motion. Where the Charged conserves considerably more energy through the heads and only reacts more angularly at the end of the oil pattern, the original Raging Bull reads the lane significantly earlier and makes a much rounder, more arcing move toward the pocket. Pull in a strong asymmetric solid heavyweight from another manufacturer of that era, such as the Storm Virtual Gravity, and closely related design philosophies come to light. Both models are built for maximum traction in heavy oil, with the Raging Bull aiming for a marginally stronger, continuous continuation of the motion through the backend thanks to the asymmetric HORNcore. Set against a typical control ball for dried-up conditions, like the Brunswick Power Groove, the immense strength of the Seismic ball becomes obvious immediately. On lanes with high friction the Raging Bull would grab far too early in a direct comparison and become completely uncontrollable, while the weaker Brunswick ball plays to its strengths in exactly that spot.
On the Lanes The ideal scenarios for the Seismic Raging Bull are clearly fresh oil, high oil volumes and demanding, longer sport patterns. The coarse cover absolutely needs a sufficient amount of oil in the heads so it doesn't burn up its rotational energy prematurely. Under those matching conditions it pushes stably through the front part of the lane and uses its asymmetric dynamics to establish a continuous, strong hook. As soon as the transition sets in noticeably and the outside boards get appreciably drier, however, the coarse surface quickly proves to be a limiting factor. The ball then starts reacting too much to the friction, burns its kinetic energy too early and consequently enters the pins too flat. That cuts carry drastically and often leaves stubborn corner pins standing. Classic strokers benefit greatly from the ball's massive built-in strength, since core and cover together provide a lot of mechanical help in creating angle on a heavily oiled surface. Rev-dominant players like this model on very fresh patterns to keep the breakpoint under control, but as the lanes dry out they need to move to weaker balls quickly. All in all, the Raging Bull is a powerful tool for those moments when absolute traction and a smooth but dominant overall motion are required.