German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS have set "Sting In The Tail" as the title of their new album, tentatively due in early 2010. The CD is being recorded at a studio in Hannover, Germany with Swedish producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen (the team behind THE RASMUS' "Dead Letters" CD).

"We are working on 12 songs at the moment," guitarist Mathias Jabs recently told Scorps News. "Great stuff. Definitely 'Scorpionized' in sound and attitude. More towards the early Eighties."

Although SCORPIONS' new CD is tentatively due in Europe in March, a U.S. release date has yet to be pinned down. "Azoff Management [which represents SCORPIONS] is currently working on the [record] deal," Jabs said. "Simultaneous release is up to the record companies."

He added, "The weak dollar has been a reason to delay the U.S. release in order to avoid bad imports in the 'rest' of the world, for all non-American bands in recent years."

SCORPIONS recently extended their record deal with Ariola, which is part of the international media conglomerate Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

2009 was the year of the SCORPIONS: they received the German lifetime achievement ECHO, collected many other awards, and undertook a grand tour through Russia, the U.S. and Europe. However, it is 2010 that will set a milestone for the career of the most successful international rock band from Germany. The SCORPIONS will be touring the world for the next two years and performing in the largest venues and stadiums that cross their path. The mammoth tour will be launched for the first time in many years in Germany. "It was important for us to give our fans a chance to celebrate a never-to-forget party with us," said band founder/guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Vocalist Klaus Meine added, "2010 is going to be a very special year for the SCORPIONS, so it is an especially good feeling to be able to start this tour at home."

To top it all off, the SCORPIONS are planning on releasing a sensational statement this January at a press conference.

The performances in Germany will be followed by concerts in the U.S., South America, Asia, Russia and various countries in Europe.

Guitarist Matthias Jabs remarked about the tour, "We are very excited to be touring the globe for the next two years. The SCORPIONS want to rock the world once again!"

SCORPIONS' brand new DVD, "Amazonia - Live In The Jungle" — a live recording of the SCORPIONS concerts in Manaus and Recife, Brazil — is in stores now.

The band's last 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.

Schenker released his official German-language autobiography, "Rock Your Life", in Germany on October 14. An English-language version is also planned. More details will be revealed soon.

SCORPIONS took part in a special concert, dubbed "A Night To Remember", on October 2 at the Grugahalle in Essen, Germany, with special guests, former members/guitarists Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker.