By: Chiara Accardi
With Nature of the Beast, Dual Diagnosis taps into something primal, a deep-seated anger that comes from feeling isolated and misunderstood. The EP roars to life with thunderous beats and biting lyrics, reflecting the pain of being trapped in your own head. This is an eruption of emotion, a raw reflection of a mind at war. For Mad Mike and Paulie Walnutz, the duo behind Dual Diagnosis, the struggle with mental health is more than just a topic—it’s their lived experience. Their music channels these battles, delivering intense energy while providing a cathartic release for listeners facing their own demons.
Nature of the Beast marks a pivotal moment in Dual Diagnosis’ journey. Released in June 2024, this EP came two years after their full-length album No Ordinary Life (2022). The EP pulls no punches.
Tracks like “Patient On The Run” and “Murder One” have a razor-sharp edge, while “Harsh” and “The Edge” deliver a powerful mix of hardcore rap and rock. These tracks create a sonic landscape that mirrors the chaotic yet hopeful emotions of those on the edge of mental collapse, seeking a way out.
The title track, “Nature of the Beast,” digs deep into the psyche, portraying the internal struggle confronting one’s fears. The music video, which was released in May, adds a visual depth to the narrative, showcasing the intensity of battling with mental health.
Watch “Nature of the Beast” Official Video:
By the time you reach the final track, “The Edge,” you’re left with more than just ringing ears and adrenaline. There’s a deeper sense of reflection. Dual Diagnosis doesn’t just want their listeners to feel their anger—they want them to recognize their own strength.
At its core, the EP Nature of the Beast is a metaphorical narrative, delving into the complex relationship between fear and survival. The lyrics confront deeply personal struggles while simultaneously extending a hand to listeners who may feel alone in their own battles. “Fears are presented as real threats or as stories we create in our ego,” Mad Mike explains. “But the ‘Nature of the Beast’ is about learning how to nurture those fears and being one with them.”
For fans of underground hip-hop, Dual Diagnosis is no stranger to the scene. Hailing from New Jersey, brothers Mad Mike and Paulie Walnutz have been making music since the early 2000s, influenced by the rap and rock fusion that defined the 90s. Their style is deeply rooted in horror-core, a subgenre that combines dark, often violent lyrical themes with hardcore beats. But beyond the shock value, there’s a deeper purpose to their music. Dual Diagnosis dedicates their songs to “the still sick and suffering”—those struggling with mental health, addiction, and grief.
Mad Mike of Dual Diagnosis
Their 2018 debut EP, Emerge From The Dark, set the tone for what was to come. Following that, their 2020 album The Intake delved even further into the themes of loss, pain, and spiritual struggle. Over the years, Dual Diagnosis has collaborated with respected underground artists like Slaine, Gorilla Voltage, and UnderRated, cementing their place in the hardcore hip-hop scene.
One of their most notable collaborations, “I Get Up,” with rapper and actor Slaine, pushed their profile further into the limelight. Released in 2020, this track, along with a short film titled Untreated, addressed addiction and recovery, themes that continue to run deep in their music. Since the release of Nature of the Beast, their ability to weave intense narratives into their sound has garnered them media attention from notable outlets like Hype Magazine, New York Today, and LA Wire, just to name a few.
Nature of the Beast is a brave confrontation, an invitation to embrace your fears and find strength in vulnerability. After all, as Mad Mike says, “We may not have control over how things occur in life, but we do have the power to control how we think so that we can respond to our fears from a place of vulnerability, compassion, and space of higher awareness.”
Listen to “Nature of the Beast” on Apple Music:
Music.Apple.com/us/album/Nature-of-the-Beast-ep/1744414460
To get real-time updates on Dual Diagnosis:
Published by: Martin De Juan
