January 25, 2010 12:09

Scorpions to split up following next album and tour

Band to bow out following final gig run

Scorpions have announced that they will split up following the release of their next album and its accompanying live dates.

The German rockers are set to tour for the next "few years" after which they will call it a day, they announced on their official website, The-Scorpions.com.

In a message on the site the band, who release new album 'Sting In The Tail' on March 19, said they made the decision because they wanted to bow out on a "high note".

"While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was – and how much fun we were still having in the process," they wrote. "But there was also something else: we want to end the Scorpions' extraordinary career on a high note.

"We are extremely grateful for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we've always had since the beginning. This is why, especially now, we agree we have reached the end of the road.

"We finish our career with an album we consider to be one of the best we have ever recorded and with a tour that will start in our home country Germany and take us to five different continents over the next few years. We want you, our fans, to be the first to know about this. Thank you for your never-ending support throughout the years!"

Hannover band Scorpions formed in 1965 and are best known for their 1984 hit 'Rock You Like A Hurricane'. Watch video footage of them performing it live by clicking below.