Van Halen was poised to take over the world in late 1983.  Eddie had just finished his new "5150" studio and was enjoying the creative freedoms that came with it.  Alex had finally found that drum sound he'd been looking for.  Dave was wondering if he needed these dudes at all.  Last, but not least, Michael manages to get screwed over by EVERYBODY.  Endless growth is unsustainable.  The center will not hold.  Things fall apart.