Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler, Bill Ward (on drums), Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi play at their induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. (Dave Hogan / Getty Images file)

Something big happened in February. For music fans it was a banner month as perhaps the greatest hard rock band ever became middle aged.

Whether you want to admit it or not, one of the most important album releases of all time took place 40 years ago. Loved by fans and panned by critics, Black Sabbath disregarded the naysayers to become the most influential band of their genre.

Black Sabbath was released on Friday the 13th, February 1970. The album reached number 8 in the UK Albums Chart, and following its US release in May 1970 by Warner Bros. Records, the album reached number 23 on the Billboard 200, where it remained for over a year. The question is — how did this happen?

Critics not only shunned the band, but also the album itself. It was thought of as a sloppy and disjointed version of Cream and Led Zeppelin. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the boys went into the studio to record Black Sabbath they had two days and barely any money. They came to find out that one of those days was to be spent mixing the album. The result was a collection of songs and arrangements done in twelve hours. According to guitarist Tony Iommi, they ripped through most of the songs in one take while singer Ozzy Osbourne wailed his was through the lyrics. Basically, it was a studio album done live.

“What is this that stands before me?” That is the opening line to one of the scariest songs ever. It also represents the first line that Black Sabbath ever recorded. Even today it gives you goose bumps, but can you imagine how it shook the music world in 1970? Funny enough, not too many people at the time paid attention. Most thought that the fad would end right there. In hindsight, we know better.

The album itself is filled with disturbing images. Let’s face it; the album’s title track has Ozzy being chased by Satan himself. At one point in the song he screams to God for help. Cream and Zeppelin, along with Deep Purple and Blue Cheer, didn’t ask for any help fighting off the devil!

Although Sabbath has roots in American blues as did some of their English counterparts, they took it to much louder levels. Their subsequent albums departed from blues-based guitar and entered the zone that would be known as heavy metal.

Crushing riffs, the ever present rhythm section of Ward and Butler, and the unmistakable voice of Ozzy made Sabbath a juggernaut. As a matter of fact, whether together or apart, the members of the original Black Sabbath have remained relevant as does their first album. There’s no better compliment than being 40 and still having a clue.