"Death Magnetic," Metallica [ tickets ]'s first new studio set in five years, will hit stores Sept. 12.

The Friday street date marks the second time in a row that the metal icons have eschewed the traditional Tuesday release for albums issued in the US; the group did the same with its previous set, 2003's "St. Anger."

In addition to being released in physical form, "Death Magnetic" will also be available as a digital download via Metallica's recently launched Mission: Metallica website, and fans who pre-order the digital version will be able to download the set at midnight on the morning of its release.

Behind-the-scenes footage of the band working on "Death Magnetic" is also available at the Mission: Metallica site.

Meanwhile, the group's official website features the new album's cover art--a silhouette of a coffin created from magnetized iron filings--and complete tracklisting (also included below) for the 10-song collection.

Currently finishing up the mixing and mastering of "Death Magnetic," Metallica--James Hetfield (guitar/vocalst), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (guitar) and Robert Trujillo (bass)--will soon hit the road for a six-date European tour that launches Aug. 14 in France. The band will warm up for that run with an Aug. 9 slot at Ozzfest [ tickets ] in Dallas, TX. Details for the Euro outing are posted at the band's website.

Metallica recorded "Death Magnetic" with producer Rick Rubin, marking the first time since 1988's "... And Justice For All" that fellow heavyweight producer Bob Rock--for years considered Metallica's unofficial fifth member--wasn't at the helm. Rock first worked with the group on its 1991 mainstream breakthrough, the self-titled "black" album--which featured hits including "Enter Sandman," "Sad But True" and "Unforgiven"--and produced all of the group's subsequent albums, including "St. Anger," on which he also played bass.

"Death Magnetic" marks Trujillo's first appearance on a Metallica studio set. Formerly the bassist for Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne, Trujillo took over Metallica's bass slot for the "St. Anger" tour, filling a void left by previous bassist Jason Newsted, who quit the group in 2001.

"Death Magnetic" tracklisting:

"That Was Just Your Life"
"The End Of The Line"
"Broken, Beat & Scarred"
"The Day That Never Comes"
"All Nightmare Long"
"Cyanide"
"The Unforgiven III"
"The Judas Kiss"
"Suicide & Redemption"
"My Apocalypse"