When it comes to MAD Mike, every project is more than music—it’s a manifestation. His latest solo release, Root of All Evil, under Lost Soul Productions, stands as a visceral journey through the human condition. Instead of chasing trends, the New Jersey emcee dissects them, breaking through cycles of pain with seven hard-hitting tracks that echo the weight of the seven deadly sins.

Where Pain Meets Purpose

As one-half of Dual Diagnosis, MAD Mike has spent years merging horror-core aggression with spiritual honesty. On Root of All Evil, he takes that balance to new depths. This isn’t shock rap—it’s soul surgery.

The album brings together an elite circle of underground artists—NEMS, Lex the Hex Master, Mr. Hyde, Termanology, and Roc—each contributing to the album’s dark yet purposeful energy. Every verse feels earned, not inserted for clout.

Building a Concept with Intention

From start to finish, Root of All Evil is deliberate. The production, driven by C-Lance, shapes an atmosphere that feels cinematic and suffocating—metal-inspired, yet rooted in hip-hop’s raw pulse. Each instrumental was designed to mirror the emotions of its featured artist, giving the album a sense of cohesion rare in today’s fractured music landscape.

Even on “You Can Get It,” produced by The Arcitype and featuring NEMS, the shift in sonics never feels out of place. The vision is too clear, the direction too strong.

Lyrical Catharsis in Controlled Chaos

MAD Mike’s pen bleeds precision. Rather than spell out his pain, he lets tone and cadence narrate it. Every bar feels like a confrontation—a war between past trauma and present growth. Tracks like “Blasphemy” and “Shed Blood” dive deep into sin and retribution, while “Cuttin’ Da Chain” transforms pain into liberation.

The album’s intro and outro serve as haunting gateways—spoken-word reflections that frame the entire project as a spiritual descent and rebirth. It’s more than rap—it’s ritual.

Sound Engineering That Honors the Raw

Behind the boards, Albert Charlemagne of Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair delivers one of the most balanced mixes of the underground year. His engineering doesn’t sterilize MAD Mike’s intensity; it amplifies it. Every snare hits like a confession, every layered vocal echoes defiance. The record feels both polished and primal—a rare equilibrium that underscores its emotional gravity.

From Introspection to Evolution

If Nature of the Beast was about confronting the darkness within, Root of All Evil is about burning it away. It’s rebellion wrapped in philosophy, catharsis in lyrical form. MAD Mike turns horror-core into healing, wielding raw energy as a tool for survival.

The Road Ahead

MAD Mike is already looking toward the next evolution. With C-Lance returning as producer and Albert Charlemagne handling the sonics, the next project promises a hybrid of rap and rock elements—an edgier continuation of his current momentum.

Meanwhile, Dual Diagnosis has fresh material on the horizon, expanding their message around mental health, faith, and endurance.

Tracklist: Root of All Evil (2025)

1. Intro
2. Blasphemy (feat. Lex the Hex Master)
3. Shed Blood (feat. Mr. Hyde)
4. You Can Get It (feat. NEMS | prod. The Arcitype)
5. Blood Squirt Fever (feat. Roc)
6. Cuttin’ Da Chain (feat. Termanology)
7. Outro

Root of All Evil is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Follow MAD Mike & Dual Diagnosis:
Instagram: @dualdiagnosis_
YouTube: Dual Diagnosis Official
Label: Lost Soul Productions