Going slightly OP here, but...
Well, I've just gave a listen to Deconstruction with my hi-fi audio system. The production is probably the most advanced I've heard in a metal album to date. Sadly, everything excepting Devin's vocals sounds so lifeless...
Guitars, bass and drums sounds like every other 'well produced' album, played by any other 'professional' musician. There's no identity and character at all. Just listen Dimmu Borgir's Abrahadabra. Can you tell me who's playing the drums there solely based on listening the album? hell no. It could have been programmed, played by any tech death metal drummer, you wouldn't never know. I know Devin plays everything, but if you tell me that the guitars were done by session guitarists I believe you. Everything is compressed to hell and at the end everything sounds very plain.
While I like to hear an album with great production, I also like to hear the musicians printing their style on the recordings. Most of my fav albums has good production values, but the main feature on them is the unique performance, atmosphere and songwriting.
About After, In that album at least you can recognize right away to Asgeir, Lars and Jorgen (sax).
STILL, I hope Jens will do a excellent job for Borknagar's next opus.