- Absolute Power

First Impressions
The Storm Absolute Power, released in January 2024, marks a significant expansion of Storm Bowling's Premier Line and shows up in a striking combination of Blueberry, Kelly and Onyx. Technically, this ball carries forward the innovative concept of the asymmetric Sentinel core, but for the first time pairs it with the R2S Deep Solid coverstock. This material choice represents a deliberate departure from the polished predecessor and aims at noticeably earlier traction. The Sentinel core is distinguished by its single-density construction, which makes it unique in the manufacturer's portfolio. With an RG value of 2.48 (at 15 lbs) it belongs to the very early-revving cores, which in physical terms means the ball wants to get into rotation quickly and build energy already in the front part of the lane. The 0.050 differential provides a healthy amount of flare potential, while the intermediate differential (PSA) of 0.021 offers a moderate asymmetry that should let the ball react in a defined way without being too aggressive. The surface comes out of the box with a 4000-grit Abralon finish. This matte texture is decisive for the intended ball motion: it should help the ball dig through the oil in the heads without burning up all of its energy right away. Unlike more aggressive nano-particle coverstocks that often read very early, the R2S Deep Solid material used here is known for preserving a certain amount of length before it moves into the hook phase. The combination of this low-RG core and the proven R2S chemistry in a solid version points to a design that puts stability and predictability ahead of absolute maximum power. Even at first glance, the Absolute Power comes across as a tool for control, built to read the lane conditions rather than overpower them.
Comparison A direct comparison with the original Storm Absolute makes the different areas of application within the same product family clear. While the original Absolute, with its pearl cover and polish, was designed for length and a late reaction to friction, the Absolute Power acts as its logical complement for oilier conditions. It reads the lane earlier and shows a noticeably rounder, more continuous motion where the predecessor reacted more angularly. Within the broader product range, the Absolute Power fits well in the context of the Storm Phaze II. The Phaze II is considered the gold standard for symmetric benchmark balls. The Absolute Power takes on a similar role, but its asymmetric core brings an additional element of torque that can help when the Phaze II reacts too softly at the boards or doesn't drive through the pins energetically enough. Compared with "heavier" balls like the Storm Eternity Pi or the Roto Grip Gem, the Absolute Power should run cleaner through the heads. It is not a pure "snow tire" for maximum oil volumes, but rather sits in the middle: stronger and earlier than a Storm Summit Peak, yet more controlled than the big high-performance balls for heavy oil. Another important point of comparison is the Roto Grip Attention Star. While the Attention Star is often chosen for a dynamic backend motion, the Absolute Power presumably offers less angle in direct comparison, but a more stable roll phase through the middle of the lane. This characteristic is especially valuable for controlling the transition of the oil pattern, since the ball should be less prone to overreacting on dry boards. It therefore functions as a bridge between the symmetric control balls and the big asymmetric hook monsters.
On the Lanes The Storm Absolute Power positions itself ideally as the first ball out of the bag (benchmark ball) on fresh lane conditions with medium to moderately high oil volume. Thanks to its matched surface and the early-rolling core, it is excellent for reading the oil pattern and finding the pocket in a controlled way. If you often struggle with "over/under" reactions – situations in which the ball either skids too far or reacts too aggressively to friction – you should benefit from this ball's smoothing effect. The strength of the Absolute Power lies in its predictability: it shouldn't change direction abruptly, but instead describe a smooth yet powerful arc that optimizes the entry angle into the pocket and thus improves carry. For technically skilled players (crankers and two-handers) the ball offers the option of playing deeper lines without having to worry about the ball "sliding past" the breakpoint, since the 4000-grit surface provides enough traction. At the same time, the core is not so dominant that it burns up too early for players with a lower rev rate (strokers). Once the transition sets in and the heads dry up, the Absolute Power could begin to lose energy too early; in that scenario a switch to polished balls or pearl versions such as the original Absolute would be advisable. In summary, the Absolute Power is a workhorse for league play and tournaments, designed to forgive mistakes in ball speed or at the release by harmonizing the reaction on the lane and smoothing out spikes in the motion.