The album, Metallica's eight and first since 2003's St Anger, was originally scheduled for release this Friday (September 12). It is believed that the band's UK label Vertigo has now soft released the set after a number of retailers put it on sale earlier this week. Representatives for the band, however, insist that the release date remains September 12.

In midweek sales flashes today (Thursday), the album sat at 25, having sold 2,625 copies on CD.

Leading the albums field ...