Origin: Russia
Formed: 2013
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Ambient
Status: Active
Label: Depressive Illusions Records
Themes: Nature, Sorrow
Lasselanta is an atmospheric black metal and ambient project from Samara, active since 2013 and centered entirely around multi‑instrumentalist Anatoly Bondarev. The project’s name—evoking elvish linguistic roots and a sense of fading seasons—reflects its musical identity: melancholic, nature‑bound, and deeply introspective. Lasselanta’s sound blends raw atmospheric black metal with soft ambient textures, creating a mood of solitude, sorrow, and quiet reflection.
The debut demo Forests of Despair (2013) introduced the project’s core aesthetic: cold tremolo melodies, distant ambience, and a strong emphasis on emotional atmosphere over aggression. The music evokes images of abandoned woods, fading memories, and the slow passage of seasons. That same year, Lasselanta contributed to the split The Isolation of the Soul, further establishing its presence within the Russian atmospheric underground. These early works were noted for their sincerity and their ability to convey sorrow through minimalistic yet evocative arrangements.
Lasselanta’s style aligns with the more ambient‑leaning branch of Russian atmospheric black metal—projects that prioritize mood, natural imagery, and emotional depth. Bondarev’s compositions often rely on layered guitars and keyboards, creating a drifting, immersive soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. While the project has maintained a low profile, its releases have circulated steadily through underground channels, particularly through Depressive Illusions Records, a label known for supporting atmospheric and experimental black metal.
Lasselanta remains active, continuing to explore themes of nature, melancholy, and inner stillness through a sound that is understated yet emotionally resonant.
Anatoly Bondarev – guitars, keyboards (2013–present)
Demo
Forests of Despair (2013)
Split
The Isolation of the Soul (2013)