You're not alone in thinking that. Sometimes I forget that the band is even still active, honestly. There's been lulls in between releases for as far back as I can remember, some bigger than others, but never anything like the last six years or so. From leaving Sire to Gas's injury, there's been just as much (or more) silence as there has been activity. It's cost them quite a bit. I think it says a lot that Ville didn't seem to know if the band was going to be able to go on if Gas wasn't able to perform, then he healed up and everyone got back to work but eventually he decided that he wasn't having fun anymore and quit. I think that's officially when the band as we knew it died. Gas knew that it was time to get out and that the band had succeeded in accomplishing everything they had set out to do and then some and there was nowhere for them to go but down from here on out. They're definitely in the home stretch right now, just about ready to cross the finish line. Like you said, it's been a great run. One more album...possibly. I honestly don't feel like they want to make a new record, at least not without Gas. Due to his sudden departure, though, I think they feel like they owe it to their fans so they can announce "this is it" and give them the opportunity to do whatever it is they have to do before the band rides off into the sunset. I think they feel like it would've been disrespectful to just say "sorry, we're done" after Gas left and not have some sort of official farewell.
