We have explored the high entropy alloy (HEA) concept in the AlTiVNbCr-nitride material system. (AlTiVNbCr)N coatings synthesized by reactive cathodic arc deposition are close to an ideal cubic solid solution with a positive mean-field enthalpy of mixing of 0.06 eV/atom. First principle calculations showa higher thermodynamic stability for the solid solution relative to their binaries thereby indicating a possible entropy stabilization at a temperature above 727 degrees C. However, the elevated temperature annealing experiments show that the solid solution decomposes to w-AlN and c-(TiVNbCr)N. The limited thermal stability of the solid solution is investigated in relation to several thermodynamic parameters. We suggest that the HEA designed multiprincipal element (AlTiVNbCr) N solid solutions are in a metastable state. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.