D'ERCOLE, named after the band's guitarist Damian D'Ercole, is yet another jump back into the true meaning of what is Hard N' Heavy. As this type of music literally ruled the 80's worldwide, particularly in the USA, lost its power to the new roots of modernity, D'ERCOLE and other new bands alike help recapture the power once lost.

With Damian D'Ercole on guitars, the producer / artist, Phil Vincent, took the reins of the vocals and keyboards. With such two great talented prospects, this debut album, "The Art Of Self-Destruction", was bound to be something with a high-quality rate. When a foursome crew channel the same sensations as out of WHITESNAKE, DOKKEN and FIFTH ANGEL, this is the foremost 80's Hair Metal feeling.

D'ERCOLE, although sometimes repeating the same lines made by the big boys of hair as those mentioned bands,the music is cool and fluent while shifting from strong Heavy Metal to inspirational 80's oriented Hard Rock. The music along with lyrics (and Phil Vincent's soft Don Dokken / Zak Stevens kind of voice), that maybe are a bit banal in a way, provided an emotive motif to the whole composition. Best tracks as "The Deluge", "Nothin' To Me", "Destiny", "It's A Lie" and "Gone But Not Forgotten" will display everything an 80's oriented album of this kind needs.

As for the production setting, this release may sound modern like the newer albums of DOKKEN as "Devil To Pay" and "Lighting Strikes Again", yet the old melodies and cool Hard Rockin riffs are still there. If you like those albums, in terms of sound, you will dig this one for sure. Aside from the technical terms, I liked "The Art Of Self-Destruction", even if you aren't such an 80's fun but melody is your dish, this album is your answer. D'ERCOLE, as it seems, tried to fend off banality but in the bottom line, they didn't change that much from what was played back in the day, nevertheless, it is comforting to listen to what they created here.