U2's guitarist The Edge has said it was unfortunate the group's new album 'No Line On The Horizon' leaked online ahead of its release on Monday (March 2nd).

The band's twelfth record was accidentally released earlier this month by the Australian arm of the band's record label.

Universal mistakenly began selling copies of the album on an online Australian-based music store.

The Edge told XFM that the band were saddened by the early release, but added that it had also been a positive thing.

“Unfortunately the album leaked a few weeks ago out of Australia”, the guitarist told the radio station.

“The one good thing about that is a lot of our fans have already given us their thumbs up. Even though it was fans getting it for free.”

U2 are currently on a promotional campaign in support of the record and are expected to announce tour dates soon.

(by Jason Gregory)