I had little to nothing by way of expectation from Van Halen in the 20 years leading up to Eddie passing.
Truth be told I haven't had much by way of expectation from Van Halen since I first heard 5150. I did post-1985 have some moments of anticipation.
I was hopeful that even with Roth gone, Van Halen would continue to make good music, thus I anticipated the release of the 5150 album.
I got Why Can't This Be Love instead.
I was hopeful in 1996 that when news of Hagar's departure and Roth's return was leaked, CVH would undertake a full-length album and tour.
I got Gary Cherone in the band instead.
I was hopeful for a couple of years after news of Cherone leaving the band being announced that CVH would try and reunite again.
I got a Van Hagar reunion instead.
I was hopeful following Roth rejoining in 2006 for a full-length album of new material and an eventual CVH reunion.
I got a bunch of reworked demos from the 1970s, a live album from 2013 I didn't want to hear and two more tours with Ed's kid.
There were a few moments from 1985 on where the band managed to conjure up some of the fire that attracted me to them all those years ago.
Few and far inbetween.
Overall, subverting expectations and anticipation was what the band did best after Roth left in 1985.
Should the band do nothing from here on out, it won't even be a case of disappointment for me considering the last nearly 40 years of output, rather par for the course.