What was written above is absolutely true. Tons of people out there, many power users, loved this feature. I personally am very unhappy about the direction chrome is taking, and I'm ready do go with competitor if they can fill that space. There are 2 options here: like chrome used to, make it possible to see tabs in app switcher or make it possible to open a link in a new window (like on desktop) and leave tabs as they are. The new window option seem like something that can be easier to do.
Can't stand tabs in their own custom switcher thing. Just drives me nuts. I can take no ad-block if I get to have my tab switching done right.
Please, come up with it, goolge does not care.