What do you get if you mix deathcore metal, happy hardcore and dubstep? No, this isn’t a joke. The answer? The Browning. It shouldn’t work but it does magnificently, and tonight we’re treated to them live in Manchester for the first time in six years. Ably supported by The Defect and the ever superb Polar, we dance into the night.

The Defect keep us waiting before drummer, mask wearing Brandon Funera, finally storms onto the stage, immediately launching into the set with eager drive. Soon after, guitarist/vocalist Jonny McBee and lead vocalist Moon join him, unveiling a melodic industrial metal sound that fuses brutal growling guitars with moments of unexpected beauty. There’s a definite Shiny Toy Guns vibe top their sound, particularly in Moon’s soaring melodies, and the obvious comparisons to Spiritbox, but there’s the delicate drifting of Stabbing Westward meshed with the viciousness of much heavier bands too. Clad in a jumpsuit, Moon weaves and swirls across the stage, flinging her head wildly when the violent riffs kick in.

McBee, yes the same one as from tonight’s headlines The Browning, delivers a deliciously nasty, gravelly guitar tone that meshes perfectly with the tight, punchy drums. It’s actually Funera, yes also of The Browning, who emerges as the biggest showman of the trio, but McBee and Moon both prowl and dance in perfect sync with the music throughout. McBee’s overdriven, rasping harsh vocals juxtapose strikingly with Moon’s delicate clean singing. Just when their sound threatens to feel repetitive, they shift gears with Moon adding harsh vocals or stabbing synths slice through the mix. The crowd stays utterly engaged and lapping it up from start to finish. This may have been their first outing in Manchester, but hopefully it won’t be their last.

Polar have been around the scene for a number of years now, and have evolved their lineup and sound to what they bring tonight. And what do they bring us? Well it’s classic hardcore energy! A tight as hell five-piece, channelling the spirit of Comeback Kid, Landmvrks and Stick To Your Guns. Every song bludgeons the punters with raw intensity, their riffs catchy and vibrant, but with a snarl. The band’s stage presence is brilliant, with each member injecting character into their performance.

The set features discordant guitar noodling that builds tension before launching into brutally vicious breakdowns. Frontman Adam Woodford is at the centre of it all – staring at the crowd as he delivers his sermon, controlling and instructing the crowd. Is it kicking off enough in the pit? No. So he takes it further by diving into the crowd to spark a circle pit around him, and before long everyone jumps in unison, swept up by the savagely brilliant onslaught of hardcore awesomeness. Polar’s relentless energy leaves the entire room buzzing and the merch stand with a long queue.

And so to our long anticipated headliners. The Browning hit the stage with the same powerhouse drummer Funera we’ve seen earlier leading them on. It’s got to be said this early on that he is on another level of crazed precision this time. The Browning are simply a unique and on paper ludicrous mix of deathcore, dance and industrial. But oh my, it works so well! Vicious snarling guitars and guttural hollers lock onto intricate drumming patterns, then shatter into dubstep and happy hardcore-inspired breakdowns. Their sound ranges from metal extremity to 80’s video game–style synth flourishes reminiscent of Carpenter Brut. Yes you read that right - guitar, vocals, live drums, and backing tracks collide in intense beatdowns punctuated by earth-shaking dubstep bass drops. Think Fit For An Autopsy wrestling with Scooter.

It’s a massive party atmosphere and at one point Funera even bench-presses a cymbal stand complete with cymbal during a techno-style breakdown. Meanwhile Akeem Bivens unleashes distorted guitar brilliance with dreadlocks flying, while his bright green headless guitar pumps in perfect time. A mini drum solo, compete with twirling drumsticks, is nothing short of expected by this point, and the entire crowd responds in kind - dancing, two-stepping, moshing all at once. We even get a reappearance of Moon to perform ‘OMNI’, and their cover of ‘Blue’. Despite six years passing since their last Manchester show, The Browning sound just as unique and fresh as ever.