Metallica is due to release its first album in five years worldwide on Friday, September 12, the group’s Web site announced yesterday. In spite of the fact that albums are generally released on Tuesdays in North America, where the band is signed to Warner Music, and a day earlier elsewhere, Metallica chose to defy the industry’s custom once again and release their ninth studio album, “Death Magnetic” on a Friday.

As reported by Reuters, a posting on the band’s Web site, named “The Last Piece of the Puzzle,” did not offer any explanation for the abnormal release date.

“Without doubt, the biggest metal event this year is going to be the release of Metallica’s new album,” said magazine “Metal Hammer” in June in an optimistic pre-release review of six tracks on “Death Magnetic.”

In a last-ditch action, Metallica’s previous album, the commercial setback “St. Anger,” was released a few days ahead of the scheduled date, apparently to reduce piracy.

On Friday, the rock band filmed a video close to Los Angeles for their first single on the album, “The Day That Never Comes.” The video was directed by Thomas Vinterberg, drummer Lars Ulrich’s Danish compatriot.

Metallica has a gig planned on Saturday at Ozzfest in Dallas. At the concert, guitarist Kirk Hammett will join Slayer’s Kerry King, Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains and  Scott Ian from Anthrax in a tribute to late Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, who was killed on stage in Columbus, Ohio, four years ago.