The Black Crowes may be known for shocking their fans with hiatuses here and there, but they always come back with a bang. In just a few short months, they’ll do it once again when they not only go on tour, but release a brand new album.

Fans were disappointed when, in 2002, the band announced that they’d be taking a brief hiatus. It was more than brief, lasting three years until they released “Warpaint.” The band would release another album the following year, but in 2010 when “Croweology” was released for their 20th anniversary, it seemed more like a farewell album. The record contained acoustic songs of the band’s biggest past hits. Shortly after they announced that they would, once again, be going on hiatus.

Three years seems to be what this group needs for a good break, as they’re coming back in 2013 with the “Lay Down for Number 13” tour that will take them throughout Europe and North America. Not only will they be travelling across two continents to bring their music to as many fans as possible, but those tracks will be brand new ones, off of their latest album “Wiser for the Time.”

That’s an appropriate title, given that it’s a live record, recorded during the 2010 tour and with a mixture of acoustic and non-acoustic tracks. The album is bound to be a good one, but there’s little doubt that fans are going to want another release shortly after, given that it’s been eight years since any original material has been released.

The Crowes will kick off the 26-date tour on March 24 at the Manchester Academy, with a handful of U.K. venues being played after that date. The band will head to North America on April 2 to perform in Port Chester, New York. From there they’ll travel around to some of the biggest cities in the States, including Washington D.C. and Nashville. Most dates will include a two-night stay with performances on both nights. For a full listing of tour dates, check out the Black Crowes tickets page on TicketSeating.com.