A Swan Song for Scorpions

German rock band Scorpions, whose international career has spanned across five decades and hit singles including "No One Like You," "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "Wind of Change" have announced that they will call it a career following their tour behind upcoming album Sting In the Tail.

The most famous metal band to come out of Germany, Scorpions were formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker in Hanover, Germany. Their signature sound featured the near-soprano vocals of frontman Klaus Meine, and a twin lead guitar attack, intially featuring Schenker's brother Michael. He was later replaced by the legendary Uli John Roth, and finally, Matthias Jabs. The band's influence is enormous, from other rock acts in their native country to English and American groups like Judas Priest, Def Leppard and Queensrÿche.

After a series of cult metal albums and success in Japan, the Scorps finally conquered America in the 1980s. A string of hit albums included Lovedrive, Animal Magnetism, Blackout, and Love at First Sting. This last included "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and the band's most enduring ballad, "Still Loving You."

The Scorpions were also one of the first Western bands to play in Russia, on their 1988 Savage Amusement tour. But the band's greatest success came in 1990 with the release of Crazy World and its accompanying hit single, "Wind of Change", an anthem for the re-united Germany and the soundtrack to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Sting in the Tail is scheduled for release on March 19th.