German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS have extended their record deal with Ariola, which is part of the international media conglomerate Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The band's new album, for which the SCORPIONS recently recorded six new songs at guitarist Rudolf Schenker's studio, is not expected to arrive before 2010.

In other news, SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine and one of the biggest Greek rock stars, Vasilis Papakonstantinou, took part in a press conference in Athens, Greece on May 21, 2009 to promote their upcoming joint concerts in the country — scheduled for July 6 in Athens and July 8 in Larissa.

Watch video footage of the press conference below.

For a number of years, the SCORPIONS has been voted one of the most popular bands among Greek music fans. The group's "best-of" album remains a top-seller in the country, while over the past few years, more than 150,000 people have attended SCORPIONS' concerts in Greece.

SCORPIONS' latest CD, "Humanity - Hour 1", was produced by James Michael and co-produced by songwriter/producer Desmond Child, who has worked with such high-profile pop/rock artists as AEROSMITH, BON JOVI, ALICE COOPER, KISS, RICKY MARTIN, CHER, MICHAEL BOLTON and BONNIE TYLER.

The Best Buy edition of "Humanity - Hour 1" includes an exclusive track, "Cold". "Cold" was previously included on the Japanese pressing of the CD along with another bonus cut, a radio edit of "Love Will Keep Us Alive".