I love your aquascapes and plant-keeping skills. Re all that you mention disliking, esp overgrown plants - I'm envious as I've never experienced anubias or crypts or grass-like plants to survive beyond a week, and consequently would consider it sacrilege not to keep them.
If it were me, I'd keep the plants (+/- some light trimming if desired) +/- more if desired, and add more wood as you describe, plus:
* put a black backing on the tank (fish wallpaper or painted) which I think really enhance the fishes' colours; [I had black previously, then switched to blue - but much preferred and miss the black];
* use a black substrate; [my fish seemed to become a lot more relaxed and displaying more natural behaviour with the darker substrate, especially when the lights are on, presumably due to the reduced glare in comparison with a pale substrate which the lights reflect off];
* add some catappa/jackfruit leaves - fish and invertebrates will appreciate this, and adds to the more natural environment.
The former is probably human preference and nicely disguises any cables (although the fish might also feel less exposed); the latter two are a combination of human preference and fish preference.
Looking forward to reading others' views, and ultimately updates on whatever you decide to do.
Edited to add afterthought:
Nerite snails, and possibly shrimp, might prevent wood from rotting. I'd recommend these as great for variation of activity in the tank. However, I'd only do so if you have a QT to move sick fish into for treatment (as most medications are contra-indicated for invertebrates)
and if you can cope with finding a mutilated fish corpse (shrimp tend to pounce on and eat dying/dead fish - fortunately nerite snails don't).
