Conducting the release of their third album like it was some clandestine operation, My Bloody Valentine have finally released the follow-up to 1991's Loveless through their website.

The band announced the arrival of their album, titled m b v, through their Facebook page last night, posting, "We are preparing to go live with the new album/website this evening. We will make an announcement as soon as its up." Soon enough, the band relaunched their website, mybloodyvalentine.org, giving fans the chance to download the new release in the most modern fashion possible.

Earlier this week, the band's frontman Kevin Shields said the long-awaited new album "might be out in two or three days" and with the album launch late last night (Feb 2) he proved to be a man of his word. The band will be heading out on a small UK tour in March to promote the album further, following a series of gigs they have planned in Japan and Australia. MBV will be heading back to Japan in the summer to headline Tokyo Rocks and will also be playing Primavera in Barcelona.

According to the band's website, the artwork for the vinyl and CD covers is still incomplete, but when it is done each format will have slightly different, but similar artwork to the download. You can buy the album from the band's website now.

Their UK tour will see them play: 

March 8 - Birmingham O2 Academy

March 9 - Glasgow Barrowlands

March 10 - Manchester Apollo

March 12 + 13 - London Hammersmith Apollo