Since By Man quietly crept into the hardcore scene last year with their Revelation Records debut, a criminally overlooked effort titled "We Sing The Body Electric". Though few had the sense to listen to what these Wisconsin-based musicians had to offer, those that did were greeted by one of 2003's most invigorating hardcore albums. Mathematically implausible with a vested interest in electronica, the album was mind-numbingly vicious in design yet could oddly be danced to with ease. Subsequent stints on the road with The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Locust and Isis instilled confidence in the group as they honed their infectious brand of intensity. What began as writing for the group's follow-up release culminated in a meltdown that saw members flee and an impending break-up loom on the horizon. Rather than implode Since By Man have ironed out their difficulties, welcoming bass player Eric Alonso and guitarist Brad Clifford to the fold and unleashing "A Love Hate Relationship", a rabid EP that is equal parts Botch, Every Time I Die and The Rise in design.

Finding themselves on the brink of disbandment clearly has unlocked the band's aural demons, as "A Love Hate Relationship" largely brushes the band's danceability aspect aside in favor of a much rawer, more destructive approach. The angular riffs thrust at the listener possess the essence of rock and roll but mask themselves in a hardcore guise much like Please Mr. Gravedigger. Yet these Milwaukee sons have more up their sleeve than such mere simple tricks. Since By Man still find time to dabble in moodier, Mogwai-esque textures, giving their jagged exterior an atmospheric edge. This experimentation is primarily centralized to the nucleus of the EP, serving as a connector that segues from "What You Got Is Gold" to the opening of "Goddamnit Baby This Is Soul" in a particularly engaging moment.

The heaviness of this offering unveils a visceral new edge to the group's already cumbersome bag of tricks, but it also helps distinguish the quintet as a volatile new force rising up from the underground rather than just another fashionable indie act. "Who Would I Be Without My Middle Finger" ends the effort with the familiar dancehall thrash that was so effective on the group's debut, and its inclusion and placement seems a telltale sign that though this was a necessary divergence into intensity, Since By Man can still cut a rug with the best of 'em. Unfortunately this is a relatively brief offering, and even though Since By Man are exquisitely proficient in hammering out compellingly abstract hardcore, newcomers may find thirteen minutes too little time to fully embrace the band. Even so, there should be enough originality and diversity within that thirteen minutes to snare the discerning fan and appease followers clamoring for something new. For listeners looking for something a bit more interesting from the beleaguered hardcore scene, this EP is gold.