Rock You Like A Scorpion

Return To Forever is due out Feb. 20. Fans who pre-order the album via iTunes or the band’s website will receive an instant download of Scorpions’ new single, “We Built This House.” The album features 12 tracks – 16 if you opt for the deluxe edition.

The release of the album and the upcoming 2015-2016 world tour marks the band’s 50^th anniversary. During the past five decades Scorpions has put out nearly 20 albums with hit singles including “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “No One Like You,” “Send Me an Angel,” “Still Loving You” and “Wind Of Change.”

Guitarist Rudolf Schenker recently reflected on the band’s humble beginnings and reaching the 50-year milestone.

“Not long ago I found an old cash account book of my mom’s, in which she meticulously recorded the earnings and expenses of my band Scorpions 50 years ago,” Schenker said. “My parents had lent me the money for the first equipment back then, and it had to be paid off in installments from the earnings. Fifty years are a long time. Apart from us, at most The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys or The Who managed to do that. In that sense, the timing for the new album is perfect, we’re celebrating half a decade of Scorpions with the record and the upcoming tour.”

Although only European dates have been announced so far, it looks like more gigs are coming because the band plans to tour “well into the year 2016” as they celebrate the major anniversary “with their fans from all over the world.” Get ready for some “unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll parties.”

Here’s the itinerary so far:

May 8 – Pardubice, Czech Republic, CEZ Arena     
May 9 – Lodz, Poland, Atlas Arena  
June 20 – Clisson, France, Hellfest Grounds (Hellfest)        
June 21 – Dessel, Belgium, Boeretang (Graspop Metal Meeting)     
July 18 – Sion, Switzerland, Plaine de Tourbillon     
July 19 – St Julien Genevois, France, Scene Chapiteau (Guitare En Scene Festival)           
July 25 – Maidstone, England, Mote Park (Ramblin’ Man Fair)       
Aug. 15 – Eckernforde, Germany, Sudstrand (Rock am Strand)
Aug. 21 – Coburg, Germany, Schlossplatz    
Nov. 9 – Rome, Italy, PalaLottomatica         
Nov. 11 – Assago, Italy, Mediolanum Forum           
Nov. 13 – Trieste, Italy, Palasport     
Nov. 21 – Lille, France, Zenith Arena           
Nov. 24 – Paris, France, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy  
Nov. 26 – Strasbourg, France, Zenith            
Nov. 28 – Zurich, Switzerland, Hallenstadion Zurich           
Nov. 30 – Lyon, France, Halle Tony Garnier
Dec. 1 – Montpellier, France Park & Suites Arena  
Dec. 3 – Bordeaux, France, Patinoire Meriadeck      
Dec. 4 – Toulouse, France, Zenith     
Dec. 6 – Grenoble, France, Palais des Sports
March 14 – Stuttgart, Germany, Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle         
March 16 – Munich, Germany, Olympic Hall
March 18 – Dortmund, Germany, Westfalenhalle 1  
March 19 – Mannheim, Germany, SAP Arena
March 21 – Hamburg, Germany, O2 World Hamburg          
March 23 – Berlin, Germany O2 World       
March 24 – Leipzig, Germany, Leipzig Arena          
March 26 – Frankfurt, Germany, Festhalle – Messe Frankfurt

Visit The-Scorpions.com for more information.