Backstreet Boys [ tickets ] will touch down on six continents in four days during a whirlwind tour to celebrate the worldwide release of the group’s new album, "Black & Blue."

The quintet plans to board a private plane after performing at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm on Thursday (11/16). Over the next 100 hours, the group will touch down in Tokyo, Sydney, Capetown, Rio de Janeiro and New York.

In each city, the group will hold press conferences and perform brief a capella sets for "select media and fans," according to the band’s publicist. Backstreet Boys’ arrival in New York will coincide with their album’s Nov. 21 release.

In New York, the group is expected to reveal plans for its 2001 World Tour.

According to the group’s publicist, the first single from "Black & Blue," titled "Shape of My Heart," is already a Top 5 single in at least six countries: Sweden (No. 1), Norway (No. 1), Canada (No. 1), Germany (No. 2), Switzerland (No. 4), Austria (No. 5) and Holland (No. 5). U.S. singles charts for the week hadn't been issued at press time.