Dying In Your Arms – Trivium

Learn how to master Trivium’s iconic track “Dying In Your Arms” with our in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This song blends melodic metal with aggressive riffing, offering guitarists a chance to refine a wide range of essential techniques while recreating the powerful, emotive sound of this modern metal classic.

Whether you're a dedicated Trivium fan or a guitarist looking to improve your precision, phrasing, and speed, this lesson provides detailed instruction on every element of the track—from rhythm riffing to lead guitar lines and everything in between. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and the Guitarists

“Dying In Your Arms” is one of the standout tracks from Trivium’s breakthrough album Ascendancy. Featuring both melodic and heavy elements, the song showcases the band’s ability to fuse accessible hooks with technical guitar work. The guitar parts are played by Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu, whose dual-guitar attack has become a defining feature of Trivium’s sound.

Matt Heafy brings a blend of classical inspiration and metal precision, known for his tight rhythm work and expressive solos. Corey Beaulieu adds a more aggressive, shred-inspired approach, often incorporating complex lead work, harmonies, and alternate tunings. Together, they craft a rich, layered sound that makes “Dying In Your Arms” both memorable and an excellent learning tool for aspiring metal guitarists.

Lesson Overview & Techniques Breakdown

Our lesson breaks down the entire track into digestible sections, focusing on key techniques that are integral to modern metal playing. Below are the main techniques covered, with insights into how they’re used in the song and how learning them benefits your overall playing.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used extensively in the intro and verse riffs to give a tight, percussive attack that defines metal rhythm guitar. Learning this technique helps develop control, timing, and the ability to create dynamic contrast between muted and open-picked notes.

Alternate Picking

Much of the riffing in “Dying In Your Arms” utilises alternate picking, which is essential for speed and efficiency. Mastering this technique helps you play faster and cleaner while maintaining stamina during long phrases.

Power Chords

Power chords drive the rhythm sections and choruses. Practicing power chords improves your fretboard knowledge, muting techniques, and chord transitions—foundational for any rhythm guitarist.

Vibrato

In the lead parts and solos, vibrato is used to add expression and sustain. Controlled vibrato enhances your lead playing by making sustained notes more musical and emotionally impactful.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These two techniques often work in tandem during melodic runs and lead licks. Learning hammer-ons and pull-offs builds finger strength and fluidity, especially for legato-style phrasing.

String Bending

The solos in the track make use of expressive string bending, often coupled with vibrato. This helps with pitch accuracy and adds personality to your soloing.

Slides

Slides appear throughout the song, both in the riffs and the lead lines. Practicing slides enhances your phrasing skills and allows smoother transitions between positions.

Pinched Harmonics

Some of the heavier parts use pinched harmonics, adding aggression and flair. This technique teaches hand coordination and adds a powerful sonic element to your arsenal.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

Trivium is known for their dual guitar harmonies, which are showcased in the song’s bridge and outro. Understanding harmony helps with composing lead lines and adds depth to your playing.

Tremolo Picking

The intro and solo passages include tremolo picking, useful for creating sustained tension and intensity. This technique trains your picking hand for speed and endurance.

Benefits of Learning “Dying In Your Arms”

Studying this song offers more than just the ability to play along with a metal anthem—it strengthens your command of timing, phrasing, and articulation. The rhythmic variations challenge your right-hand control, while the solos push your precision and finger dexterity.

You’ll also learn how to shift between clean and distorted tones, which helps in mastering tone dynamics—a skill that translates across genres. Ultimately, mastering this track will enhance both your rhythm and lead guitar vocabulary and prepare you for more complex compositions in the modern metal genre.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Power Chords
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Dual Guitar Harmonies
• Tremolo Picking

Whether you're developing your metal chops or expanding your lead technique, this lesson provides a valuable toolkit for taking your guitar playing to the next level. Dive into “Dying In Your Arms” today and experience firsthand the skills that make Trivium’s guitar work so powerful and revered.