As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis was recently given a prison sentence after attempting to put a hit out on his wife. The metal vocalist, turned atheist, made it clear that he only continued making Christian music to appeal to and sell records to Christians.

"A month before your arrest, you posted a YouTube video addressing fans who felt your new side project, Pyrithion, was 'satanic.' I remember watching the video at the time and noticing you never gave the easy answer: 'Of course not. I'm a Christian!' You knew people thought of you as a Christian. Weren't you lying by omission?" Lambesis was asked by AP's Ryan J. Downey.

"Yes. If you say, 'This is what I believe, you can count on this. If you believe the same things, I'm on your team.' A lot of Christian parents said, 'Yes, you can buy this As I Lay Dying CD, because they're a Christian band.' They don't even think to actually check the lyrics. So when you change your views, you kind of owe it to the fans to be honest," Lambesis replied.

The singer feared that his new found atheism would affect the band's record sales.

"As far as the [YouTube] video I did explaining Pyrithion's lyrics "¦ I was trying to put out a fire. I was afraid it would affect As I Lay Dying sales, which would affect my overall income. I was trying to put out the fire by saying the easiest thing, 'I'm not a satanist!'" Lambesis stated.

He continued, "Truthfully, I was an atheist. The 'strategy' I had at the time was cowardly. Two of the songs on that record were about coming to grips with the idea that life has no purpose, no meaning. These were negative themes I wasn't 'allowed' to deal with in As I Lay Dying songs. I thought making As I Lay Dying darker would be bad for my career. That was my thinking."

Lambesis was sentenced to prison for six years after originally being set for nine.

The 33-year-old was reported to be in a custody dispute with his wife Meggan over his three children last spring. At his gym he asked a trainer friend if they knew someone that could kill his wife. The personal trainer contacted the police and an undercover detective met with the singer.

CharismaNews reported that Lambesis admitted he would pay $1,000 in cash for the murder and another $19,000 once the deed was done. In those initial meetings with the detective he provided photos, security codes, alibi's, and dates of when he would have the children.

As I Lay Dying's four other members have started a new band with a different singer. They had previously released an official statement last May.

"The legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do. There are many unanswered questions, and the situation will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. We'll keep you informed as best we can." Soon after that, they canceled all of their tour dates.