Hour.ca's Dave Jaffer has issued an interview with MASTODON bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders. The following is an excerpt:

Forsaking the jewels of Europe was seemingly a lot easier than quitting on Montreal. As such, Heavy MTL represents the band's only summer appearance anywhere.

"We had such a blast at the first one [in 2008] we couldn't say no to this," says Sanders. "Not only was our one Heavy MTL experience incredible, but Montreal has completely embraced us for the past 10 years that we've been coming up there, and I can honestly say that the environment and the overall appreciation we receive from people in Montreal easily places [it] in the top three destinations in North America that we've ever experienced."

Aw shucks, Troy, you're making us blush. But do go on...

"[Despite] the hassle we constantly receive at the border, it's always worth it to get in and play that show," Sanders adds. "Just to hit Montreal makes our border nightmare completely worth it."

Read the full story here.

North America’s premier metal and hard-rock event, Heavy MTL 2010 is being held at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec on July 24th and 25th.

Acts confirmed include:

Saturday, July 24:

Jägermeister Stage

36 CRAZY FISTS - 12:45PM

BAPTIZED IN BLOOD - 1:45PM

MELISSA AUF DER MAUR - 2:45PM

FEAR FACTORY - 3:45PM

TESTAMENT - 5:00PM

MASTADON - 6:30PM

ALICE COOPER - 8:45PM

Main Stage

SKELETONSWITCH - 1:45PM

HIGH ON FIRE - 2:15PM

KATAKLYSM - 3:15PM

ANVIL - 4:20PM

ROB HALFORD - 5:45PM

SLAYER - 7:30PM

MEGADETH - 9:45PM

Sunday, July 25:

Jägermeister Stage

BENEATH THE MASSACRE - 1:45PM

SHADOWS FALL - 2:45PM

CHIMAIRA - 3:45PM

HATEBREED - 4:45PM

ALEXISONFIRE - 6:00PM

AVENGED SEVENFOLD - 7:30PM

Rockstar Mayhem Stage

HAIL THE VILLAIN - 1:15PM

DESPISED ICON - 2:15PM

AIRBOURNE - 3:15PM

WINDS OF PLAGUE- 4:15PM

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH - 5:15PM

LAMB OF GOD - 6:45PM

ROB ZOMBIE - 8:35PM

KORN - 10:00PM

Third Stage

DEADLY APPLES - 1:00PM

LES EKORCHES - 2:00PM

NORMA JEAN - 3:00PM

3 INCHES OF BLOOD- 4:00PM

IN THIS MOMENT - 5:00PM

ATREYU - 6:00PM

Jägermeister - who is sponsoring one of the two stages at the show - has announced a number of signing sessions at their JägerWorld tent. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, July 24:

Kerry King (SLAYER) 3-3:40PM

FEAR FACTORY 5-5:40PM

TESTAMENT 7-7:40PM

Sunday, July 25:

ATREYU 2:20-3PM

SHADOWS FALL 3:40-4:10PM

CHIMAIRA 4:50-5:20PM

3 INCHES OF BLOOD 4:50-5:20PM

KORN 5:30-6:10PM

HATEBREED 6:30-7:10PM

Further festival details can be found at Heavymtl.com.