In god of war 2 for ps2, I cant open the gate to the temple of the forgotten...?

I am in the ruins of the forgotten, I have just killed the one eyed ogres with the dudes that ride on their backs, now I've moved the block, and am at a gate, it tells me to press R1, I do, Then circle on, but no matter how long I mash it, the gate wont rise, please help I havetried walkthroughs they dont talk about this!!!