He began his career in 1984 with the band Lucifer’s Heritage, performing drums on their 1985 demo, Symphonies of Doom.

Stauch left Blind Guardian in April 2005, citing dissatisfaction with the direction the band had taken in its later years.

Piet introduced him to Persuader vocalist Jens Carlsson and guitarist Emil Norberg, who completed the band's lineup.

Due to health issues that caused him to miss too many gigs, Thomen left the band on 17 August 2007 but rejoined the lineup in 2012.

[3] He has also played drums for the band Coldseed alongside Soilwork frontman Björn Strid.