In his latest release, Nature of the Beast, Mad Mike from Dual Diagnosis dives deep into a world of turmoil, fear, and raw survival. This six-track EP, blending hardcore rap with rock undertones, offers a poignant exploration of mental health battles, self-awareness, and the ever-present beast within us all. It is an emotional release, balancing vulnerability and strength, making it both gripping and transformative for the listener.
Dual Diagnosis, a duo from New Jersey, has always been known for their fusion of hardcore hip-hop and horror-core, and Nature of the Beast is no different. Mad Mike’s lyricism on this project is intensified by his lived experiences, grappling with demons and mental struggles. Alongside producer The Arcitype, who lent his talent to half of the EP, Mad Mike steers the project with ferocity, producing the other half of the EP and creating a metaphorical narrative that brings listeners into his world. Each track tells a piece of the story, a fight between fear and higher consciousness, urging listeners to sit with their discomforts and find solace in the chaos.
The EP opens with an intro, an atmospheric piece that sets the tone for what’s to come—dark, intense, and raw. It teases the deeper journey Mad Mike is about to take us on. When the title track, Nature of the Beast, drops, the power of the project hits full force. The song is filled with urgent energy, speaking to the nature of human fear and the mental chains that bind us. Mad Mike’s gritty vocal delivery feels almost like a confession, addressing the fears that live deep inside, holding us hostage. He reflects on the subconscious and the power these unseen forces have over our actions, but with a reminder—that fear can be nurtured, controlled, and used to our advantage.
In Patient On The Run, there’s a sense of constant motion, as if the protagonist is running from his inner turmoil but trying to find peace along the way. It captures the struggle of confronting mental illness head-on while also giving a glimmer of hope that survival is possible. The production here is both frantic and melodic, blending the emotional and the physical as the listener is carried along on this mental chase.
Meanwhile, tracks like Harsh and Murder One maintain the hard-hitting nature that Dual Diagnosis fans have come to expect. Harsh feels like a call to arms, speaking to the pain that’s unavoidable when we face our inner beasts. Murder One, in contrast, is a darker, grittier track that shows the depth of Mad Mike’s frustration. It’s raw and unfiltered as if we’re getting a glimpse into his mind at its most chaotic.
The EP closes with The Edge, a song that encapsulates the theme of walking the line between falling into fear and rising above it. There’s a sense of resolution here—while the battle might not be over, the realization that we have control over how we respond to our fears provides a sense of empowerment. The production, heavy with rock elements, lifts the listener out of the chaos and leaves them in a place of reflection.
One of the strongest aspects of Nature of the Beast is the lyrical content. Mad Mike’s reflections on fear, mental health, and survival are honest and raw, offering listeners both empathy and challenge. The metaphor of the beast is woven throughout each track, representing the internal struggles that define us as humans. Fear, as he suggests, is an inevitable part of life—but how we choose to respond to it is where our power lies.
Nature of the Beast asks the listener to confront their own fears and find their inner warrior. In a world where mental illness often feels like an isolating experience, this EP offers a rare sense of community, a shared understanding that no one is alone in their struggles.
The music video for the title track, released just before the EP in May 2024, captures the haunting energy of the song. Directed by Danielle Rackowski and produced by Mad Mike himself, it complements the EP’s themes of fear and resilience, visually enhancing the raw emotion and intensity embedded in the lyrics.
Nature of the Beast is an anthem for those still fighting their inner battles. And as it comes to a close, one can’t help but wonder—what beasts are we all wrestling with, and what would it take to finally set ourselves free?
Find out more about Dual Diagnosis by visiting:
https://lostsoulproductionsllc.com
https://www.instagram.com/dualdiagnosis_
