Currently in the midst of a European tour, Metallica [ tickets ] has shuffled one of the dates on its subsequent North American fall outing, and hopes to soften the blow by offering ticketholders a free recording of the make-up performance.

"For all of our friends with tickets to the sold out show in Ottawa on October 29, we hope that date is on your calendar in pencil!" the band wrote in a message posted at its website. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but that show has changed dates and we will now be at Scotiabank Place five days later on November 3."

Tickets for the originally scheduled performance will be honored on the make-up date, or ticketholders can return their tickets to the point of purchase for a full refund, the group said.

"And for your trouble," the band continued, "everyone who attends the show on November 3 will receive a voucher for a free MP3 download of the show that can be redeemed at www.livemetallica.com."

The band's message went on to say that the postponement "has nothing to do with oysters, but can only tell you right now that the date change is due to a scheduling conflict with a very cool event coming up around that time. We wanted to let you know about the new date in Ottawa ASAP, but we've been sworn to secrecy on all other fronts, so check back here ... more details in mid to late July.

Metallica's North American roadtrip kicks off Sept. 14 in Nashville and currently comprises more than two-dozen dates that stretch into mid-November. Details are included below.

The metal icons, who earlier this year were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, continue to support their latest album, last year's Rick Rubin-produced "Death Magnetic." The set debuted atop The Billboard 200 chart, earning Metallica the distinction as the only band with five consecutive No. 1 debuts.