I'm not usually into the whole "kvlt" thing, but the terrible production of Xasthur actually seems to be an important part of the atmosphere.
I wouldn't call it terrible production. I would say that it's the perfect production for that kind of music... Xasthur and many other Ambient Black Metal bands would suck if they had cristal clear production. It just doesn't fit at all.
Kvlt doesn't need to mean "terrible production"
I haven't heard the latest though... But I really enjoyed Defective Epitaph because Malefic finally used some real drums and while being kind of sloppy it's still 10 times better than the drum machine. I also like the idea of using a chello in the middle of all the chaos.
His voice is amazing imo... I really don't care of the lyrics, his voice is hauting and perfect to hear alone at night.
I'm hearing now:
Asphyx - Last One On Earth
Great album by this dutch death metal band with a bit [just a bit] of doom mixed. The guitar tune is raw like an old chainsaw but the production is so clear that it's like if they are using the chainsaw right in front of you