All four bands have released new albums. And each began putting together a show that features both new material and old favorites.

Another German band, Kingdom Come, will be opening the gigs. Their program will include the best tracks from previous albums as well as selections from the latest one.

The Rasmus (image from www.therasmus.com)

Third on the bill is the acknowledged king of horrors, Alice Cooper from the US. For more than 30 years Cooper and his band have been shocking audiences with their unique brand of theatrical heavy metal. He regularly records new albums and embarks on world tours. Cooper will be showcasing his new album at the Russian gigs.

The legendary Scorpions are the headliners. In 1988 they became the first Western rock group to visit the Soviet Union. They have been admired by Russian audiences ever since and keep coming back for concerts.

Thousands of heavy rock fans are expected to buy tickets for the shows, which are being held in the biggest arenas across Russian cities.

After St Petersburg, the tour proceeds as follows: Rostov-on-Don (June 16), Ekaterinburg (June 18), Novosibirsk (June 20), Krasnoyarsk (June 22), Murmansk (June 24), Volgograd (June 26). The tour closes on June 28 in Moscow.