Less than a week before Def Leppard was due to launch its latest North American tour leg, the '80s metal band cancelled its outing. The band cited "unforeseen personal matters" in its decision to ax the eight-date trek, but did not go into details.

"We know how truly blessed we are to have such committed fans. That's why we've agonized over this decision," the band said in a statement on its official Web site. "Even if just a single concert, we don't take cancelling shows lightly, but unfortunately life's commitments need to be the priority."

The tour, featuring support from Cheap Trick, was supposed to launch October 22 at Reno Events Center in Reno, NV. Concerts were booked in western U.S. and Canada through November 4 at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB.

Ticket refunds will be issued at the point of purchase for Def Leppard's late year dates.

The band was forced to cancel two U.S. performances earlier this year. Concerts on August 10 in Nashville, TN, and August 11 in Pelham, AL, were crossed off Def Leppard's summer routing due to "a band member's bereavement."

The cancelled August shows were part of a large-scale summer trek that Def Leppard launched in June. The season-long tour featured support from Poison and Cheap Trick, and concluded in early September.