"Message in Blood" by Pantera: Guitar Lesson

One of Pantera's less heralded but highly significant tracks, "Message in Blood," is a showcase of Dimebag Darrell's distinct guitar style and craftsmanship. This piece focuses on every nuance of the song's guitar work, from the chord structure to the breathtaking solo. It also offers a brief but pertinent homage to Dimebag, whose influence in heavy metal and guitar playing is nothing short of legendary. Sam Bell shows you every nuance of this classic album track.

Chords and Scales

The song starts in the key of E minor and features the heavy use of power chords, palm-muted chugs, and the infamous Dimebag squeals (pinched harmonics). The chord progressions are not overly complex but are arranged in a way that conveys a mood of aggression and tension. We see a mix of E5, A5, and B5 power chords, which are standard in the genre but sound incredibly potent in this context.

The scales employed in "Message in Blood" are mostly pentatonic and natural minor scales. However, Dimebag throws in a sprinkling of the blues scale and the harmonic minor scale to add a little extra spice. This mixture creates a lush landscape for Dimebag to paint his tonal picture.

Lead Guitar & Solo

Dimebag Darrell was known for his eclectic style that combined groove, metal, blues, and even a tinge of jazz. His tone was raw and unfiltered, perfectly complementing the band's heavy rhythm section. The solo in "Message in Blood" is a compendium of Dimebag's signature techniques. It starts off melodically, with a sequence of slow bends and vibrato. As the solo progresses, he throws in a bit of alternate picking and legato runs that are fast yet clean. These runs often comprise a mix of the E minor pentatonic scale and the E harmonic minor scale, offering a tonal divergence from the rest of the song. The solo ends with some aggressive tapped harmonics and dive-bombs, delivering an audial gut-punch that leaves the listener breathless.

Techniques Employed

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Dive Bombs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Harmonics

"Message in Blood" is indeed a treasure trove for guitarists seeking to delve deep into the intricate art of metal guitar playing. It's a song that offers a straightforward yet impactful lesson in how to employ scales and chords effectively while also being a masterclass in various guitar techniques. From its opening chords to the final notes, it encapsulates what Dimebag Darrell was all about: a genius of his craft, displaying technical virtuosity without sacrificing emotion and soul.

The song also serves as a poignant reminder of Dimebag's unparalleled skill and the gaping hole left in the world of music by his untimely passing. But in "Message in Blood," we hear the heart of a guitarist who spoke in a language comprehensible only through six strings and a whammy bar. And so, for those willing to take the time to understand its complexity, the message is loud and clear.